1941 instrument panel
 

Hi everyone. I'm a long time observer but this is my very first post.

I was hoping someone could help me out with a '41 instrument panel. I'd like to take the glass off to clean the inside of the glass. Is there a way of doing this without pulling the dash completely apart?

http://tony-starr.com/wp-content/uploads/panel_sm.jpg

Thanks!
-tony.

Re: 1941 instrument panel
 

The instrument cluster can be removed, disassembled and cleaned. You have to reach up inside the dash behind the cluster to remove the fasteners. It's been a while since I did it.
I think you can then pull the cluster out toward the steering wheel to disconnect the wiring. Handle it carefully.

Re: 1941 instrument panel
 

Tony
Welcome to the Ford Barn.
First disconnect the battery!!!
Yes you need to remove the instrument cluster from the dash, four nuts.
Disconnect the speedometer cable, oil pressure, water temp, fuel gauge, and ammeter wires. then you can address the chore of removing the bezel holding the lens.
Bruce

Re: 1941 instrument panel
 

Thank you John and Bruce.

Re: 1941 instrument panel
 

what I do is remove the speedo & gauges. Gives a bit move room to get the cluster out. when out you will notice the case is crimped together at about 6 spots. Uncrimp with pliers and disassemble

Re: 1941 instrument panel
 

In Australia, all Fords from 1941 through to the 1948 models used the carry over 1941 American Styled Dashes in Right hand Drive form. That is because Ford Management in the USA didn't want to go to the expense of tooling up the new style Dashes introduced in the 1942 models in RHD for so few sales.
Be very careful with the little Tabs that fold over, as they are easily broken. not sure if the Ford Dash has them, but the same year Mercury Dash had them.

Re: 1941 instrument panel
 

http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attach...p;d=1454481285http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attach...p;d=1454481285http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attach...p;d=1454481285
To illustrate the point that I mentioned in my previous Post, these cars use the carry-over 1941 Style Dash. In the top photo, we have an Australian 1947 Ford Super Deluxe. The middle Photo shows an Australian 1948 Mercury, while the bottom photos shows a New Zealand 1946 Mercury. You will notice that the Australian assembled cars didn't have the "vents" in the Windscreen moldings, while the NZ car does. that is because no Heaters or Demisters were available in cars assembled in Australia. All of these RHD models use the equivalent Ford or Mercury 1941 Style Dash.

Re: 1941 instrument panel
 

I've pulled a couple of these to pieces about 12 yrs back. Take care with the glass it is quite thin and easy to crack. I did mine but luckily had about 3 spare clusters. I'm pretty sure the chrome surround which holds the glass to the body of the unit has be prised away from some "tits" on the body of the unit in order to clear it to lift it off.

GB

Re: 1941 instrument panel
 

It also looks like the quarter light window divider bar n the Aussie cars roll down with the window glass while the NZ bar was fixed.

GB

Re: 1941 instrument panel
 

Apols for digging up an old thread, but if anyone is interested, I'm pulling my 41 instrument cluster apart at present.

Happy to share pics if there is any appetite for 'em.

Re: 1941 instrument panel
 

Rebuilt the cluster in my '41 in 2014 to clean and improve illumination. The early model year '41s had red needles which are very hard to see against the dark gold background, except in direct sunlight. The dash lights do not help much, even on full bright, even at night; I took the dimmer out of the circuit. I keep a flashlight handy.

Painting the inside of the housing white helped a little. I painted the faded needles red; should have painted them all white. I guess that is why they switched to white needles later in the '41 model year.

The lettering on the inside of the glass was flaking off, making cleaning the surface impossible. If anyone needs the name of the guy that does silk screen replacements for the '41 cluster, let me know and I will dig it out. It was a nice piece of work.

I removed and replaced my cluster with the instruments installed. It takes some maneuvering, but it can be done.

Re: 1941 instrument panel
 

Yes, please. I'm interested in seeing the pics since my '41 Merc is in need of the same thing. Thank you!


Terry

Re: 1941 instrument panel
 

The 41 panel can be gloomy at the best of times. I believe that the inner glass (with the numbers) was designed to be lit from the edge. I had a lot of dust and sealant in there. If you clean the edge of that glass it helps.

https://i.ibb.co/txZ3khX/IMG-3805-2.jpg

I also repainted the inside of the gauge housing but I still wasn't happy.

I added a string of LED lights (made up from some battery operated Christmas tree lights) to illuminate that glass edge and it's much better.

https://i.ibb.co/f856DdD/IMG-3809.jpg

Re: 1941 instrument panel
 

Yes,indeed. Well done! Thank you...I'll be planning to do a similar improvement. An amazing difference.:)



Terry

Re: 1941 instrument panel
 

The gauge cluster is held in with four bolts that are accessed from the rear of the dash.

https://i.ibb.co/Mc3XZsX/IMG-3779.jpg

Before removing the bolts, disconnect all electrical connections and speedo and odometer cables etc.

Note, I could not slide the ammeter lead through the ‘inductive loop’ on the rear of the ammeter. The connector was too large, so I cut the terminal off and will connect a new one after reinstallation.

Once the bolts are removed the gauge assembly will come out from behind the dash.

https://i.ibb.co/kDQfq2G/IMG-3784.jpg

The gauge assembly is a clamshell held together at a few pinch points. Prise these back and the the case halves will come apart. Be gentle as the glass is long and narrow and could easily be cracked.


I removed the gauges and speedometer so I could give the faces a clean and repaint the needles.

https://i.ibb.co/zFkG0k0/IMG-3785.jpg

There are two pieces of glass - the outer one and the inner one with the white and red numbers.

Mine was pretty cruddy inside so I removed the outer glass. It is mounted in the chrome frame which is press fit and will prise away gently.

https://i.ibb.co/Pc4Psbd/IMG-3801.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/xGmctcC/IMG-3802.jpg

Behind the ‘inner’ glass is the cluster face which is held on by bent tabs. There is a gap on the top and bottom of the cluster face where the light has to get through. Remove the cluster face so you can clean the glass and edge. Mine had a lot of crud/adhesive/sealant which was stopping the light getting in. The numbers are just painted on, so use caution.

https://i.ibb.co/0Czts8y/IMG-3794.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/PQMyd9h/IMG-3800.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/XJk97V8/IMG-3798.jpg


I wasn’t happy with the level of illumination so I added a string of tiny LED lights. I chose a set of battery operated Christmas tree lights because: they were tiny, they were the right color (warm white), and powered by 4.5V.

I added a 180 Ohm resistor to the string for a 12v voltage drop to 4.5, but you could probably use a 5v USB power adaptor. I placed the string along the bottom glass edge for effect. The top edge will continue to be lit by the stock lamps.

https://i.ibb.co/KxXtCp1/IMG-3804.jpg

The light strings are usually about a yard long so I had to gather it up with heatshrink to get the LED’s close together. I used sealant to fasten it being careful not to get any on the glass edge.

The light string is not visible from the front

https://i.ibb.co/BjTPM6j/IMG-3803.jpg

I put a small hole in the back of the case for the leads to exit and connect to the instrument light circuit.

Replace the cleaned up gauges and re-assemble. Don’t forget to reconnect the ammeter terminal after sliding through the inductive loop!

Here is the panel without the LED's with stock illumination

https://i.ibb.co/txZ3khX/IMG-3805-2.jpg

Here is the panel with the LED's working in addition to the stock lamps.

https://i.ibb.co/f856DdD/IMG-3809.jpg


I hope this helps.

Re: 1941 instrument panel
 

Wow that pops. whats the voltage of the led string? 9vt battey? sam

Re: 1941 instrument panel
 

It’s in the text, I think he said 4.5v but his car is 12v. I’ve seen battery operated lights like these in Walmart.

Thanks to fortyonerag for the pictorial, I’ve got to take my speedo out as the odometer is not working.

Re: 1941 instrument panel
 

Sam, he posted this below one of the pics above:


" I chose a set of battery operated Christmas tree lights because: they were tiny, they were the right color (warm white), and powered by 4.5V.

I added a 180 Ohm resistor to the string for a 12v voltage drop to 4.5, but you could probably use a 5v USB power adaptor."




Terry

Re: 1941 instrument panel
 

I trust you don't drive with all those keys aboard I assume that is the key ring for all your old cars. In the Model A world the ignition suffers from too much weight on the ign switch.

Re: 1941 instrument panel
 

Sounds like an easy job. We might take a look at my buddy's uncle's '42 project after we finished installing the suspension from 4Wheelonline onto the Jeep. The interior needs a thorough cleaning.