Being a tight git I'm planning on putting the original cluster behind the dash. I wondered whether to trim the unit down to make it a flush fit or to go with the 'tilted' arrangement as is. It looks to me that one could carefully cut the edges down for a parallel face without buggering up the twiddly bits. Anyone done this?

A related question: given that we can't have angled 'pokey out' bits what are the rules on edges around recesses - do they need to be radiused if they go in as opposed to out? Ive decided I'd like to make my dash from something thicker but un-padded.

Being a fellow tight wad, I also re-used the Escort cluster. Cut mine down so it was a flush fit, used four small angle brackets to mount it to the back of the ply dash panel. You'll need to make a thin perspex cover, with a hole drilled for the odometer reset (if you have one), nothing difficult here.
You may find that the steering wheel obscures the speedo when you fit the dash, could be a problem at SVA time. If this is the case swap the speedo and rev counter over, this gets over the problem. You'll find a couple of pics in my photo archive if you want to see the end result.

I took the simple option and fitted the cluster complete. I raked mine back at an angle and set it behind the dash surface.

I had to swap the Speedo for the tahco as the steering wheel obscured the Speedo. I sealed the hole with a plastic plug.

To finish the cluster of I used black mastic (bath sealant) around the outer edge.

I too am Tight and did as GeoffT. I also swapped speedo for rev counter. I was going to replace with separate instruments, but this has grown on me and I'm keeping it. Trimming the cluster to make it flush makes a big difference.


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Marcus

Yep, mines grown on me too and is now going to stay. Will probably add a couple of same style gauges behind the wheel (oil pressure and volts) to finish it off.

Yup, I've now got an oil pressure gauge, in a pod, on the trans tunnel top. Thing is, it makes you paranoid. If you lose a couple of psi on a long run, you think the big ends are on their way out

Marcus

Just take the innards out, and paint a needle on the back of the glass at 60psi....