1968 240 automatic RHD.

Apologies if that has already been a thread but magazine is a difficult search item.

I am currently rebuilding the dashboard, console, vanity box etc. Would someone be so kind as to post a closeup photo of the magazine rack to include the instrument panel and radio mounts so I can get this orientation correct. Currently on first fit, the angle brackets of the hinge mechanism are protruding into the magazine rack. this can't be right. I suspected they should have returned to a horizontal position on closing the instrument panel or possibly be behind the magazine rack?

Thank you for your time.

Frank

 

Hi,
first time I hear of a "magazine rack". Can you post a picture?

 

Thanks for getting in touch.
I believe on the parts list it’s a Newspaper tray BD17125 so I maybe misrepresented it.
It sits between the instrument cluster and the radio/heater control finisher panel but the bit that concerns me are the right angled hinge mechanisms for the instrument panel which are protruding into the newspaper tray. They would certainly shred your daily newspaper if not the back of your hand?

Thank you for your time.
Frank

Hopefully you can see the bare angle metal sticking down into the newspaper tray.

 

Ok, the shelf under the movable panel.

on the left side I see something but I also see two unscrewed hinges that maybe should be reversed UP. Not sure.

I am surprised that someone with a MK2 has not confirmed. I have a S type which has a different shelf under the movable panel.

 

Those look like brackets to me, not hinges, I think I can see some reinforcing dimples in the middle of the "bend" _ so not hinges.
If they are brackets, they're not supposed to be there.

It would be interesting to ask the person who put them there what that person used them for.

Maybe someone removed the hinges (why I don't know) on the facia and the brackets are now supporting the bottom edge somehow.
If the two top thumbscrews are removed, does the whole electrical facia want to come out, or does it still fold down ?

And Frank, those are not radio mounts in the map shelf area, the radio is down below just out of your photo below the speaker grill.
Maybe someone tried to put something there, but I can't see a radio fitting with those brackets.

 

Thank you to both of you.
I received the car with a partially stripped interior so cannot say what it was like originally.
With the radio/heater and the shelf box removed the instrument panel will tilt but also drops.
The brackets are obviously pre-drilled for bolt holes but right now I’m not sure what the bolts would be holding as the shelf/newspaper rack doesn’t have any rear bolt holes.
I think I will need to disassemble it all and see how the hinge mechanism on the instrument cluster is working.
I will update after a bit more investigation.
Regards
Frank

 

I'll take some photos of mine, it will be a few minutes as there is lots of un-shoveled snow between the house and the garage.
Someone may even post some in the mean time.

 

Thank you, there is no rush please don’t be going out in the snow.
Attached the picture of when I got it.
Frank

 

The hinges are bolted to the body, and also hold the map shelf in place.
They are spot welded to the copper plated facia.

Yours may have been rusty and they twisted off.
The brackets that were added were probably meant to support the bottom edge of the facia panel when it was opened.

When you find some hinges, the auto wrecker, or whom ever will sell you the whole unit less the switches and instruments.
Maybe yours are screwed onto the copper plated facia, as mine is a late model 340 and Jaguar may have spot welded them on.

At least you know what to look for.

 

Don't worry about me going out in the snow, I'm a triathlete, I run in snow all the time, a little walk to the garage is nothing.
Deepest I've run in is 3 feet out on the trail.
One doesn't run in snow like that, it gets pushed forward _ it's a Hell of a work out.

It's hard to tell what's going on in your photo as far as hinges are concerned _ need some close ups.

 

You're also missing the illuminated switch indicator bar.

 

Goodness, that’s very impressive. Whereabouts do you live?

I’ve got the legend bar, have had the chrome strip re-chromed and a new blue filter. Just not fitted at first fit to avoid damaging the strips.

Will send a follow up picture when it’s sorted.

Thanks for your help, I’m sure I will have more questions before it’s finished.

Frank

 

Frank can you update with your location please. If you look top right in other posts you will see the majority of people put their location in their personal details and it then shows top right.
I have spare dash panels but they are for the S Type which has a different hinge to the one you have shown. The S Type panel hinge is on the side as shown in this photo circles in yellow.

 

Thank you. I believe I’ve updated my details now.
I have a second dashboard instrument panel which I bought in the hope that the spare gauges might work as I think some of mine look a bit suspect. If it turns out that I only need the panel without any replacement gauges or switches it will have been a good purchase.
Frank

 

The centre instrument section bolts to the captive nuts in the body indicated below:




The magazine/newspaper compartment fits to these as well and slides up behind the hinges which clamp it in place.

 

Thank you. I can see how it is all supposed to fit now. The issue will be if the hinges are seized or free. It’s looking likely that the bolts were removed by PO either because they couldn’t get the instrument panel down or just removed them to get the parcel shelf out rather than maybe loosening them. I will get some time on it this week and hopefully progress onwards again.

 

The S type dash panel is very similar obviously apart from the hinge mechanism. The two sections on the Mk2 dash that are welded in place and stick out on the S type are bolted on as can be seen here. The hinges for the front panel are then part of the section that is bolted on but if you look the S type still retains the four holes where the Mk2 hinges are screwed on.



This is a close up of the plate that the S type front panel is hinged off. The large bolt sticking out with the collar in the centre is the hinge bolt.

 

Thank you all for your guidance. Seized hinges was the explanation but with a bit of cleaning and lubrication they are moving again. Certain that i will be able to get them in correctly now but just not rushing until they are moving nice and freely.

Thought I would update to confirm the query is resolved.

Frank