Hello and Help !!! Have I got a wrong part as they won't go together

Hi All. I am new to here so be gentle ;D I bought a t2 a year or so now, unfortunately it was in bits when I got it so is proving a challenge to say the least.

I am trying to get the dash etc back in. I tried before and realised I had an earlier dash front (no cut out) I have replaced the dash front for a later one with the cut out for the ignition housing. The column support still does not meet up with any mounting point at the back (front of car) If I move it anywhere near the hole the two bolts where it fixes to the dash don't align. Have I got the wrong steering column support bracket.

Also the ignition housing wont fit in the cut out.

 

Try posting some pictures of the offending parts

 

I cant figure out how to put image up

 

As I recall, if your column mounting is a plain flat bracket, you need the corresponding flat-along-the-bottom dash. Theres another column mounting hole (smaller) that bolts to the van front panel.

I think the cut-out was for earlier buses.

 

Oh dear. I have 2 dash boards, one flat one with the cut out. I have the column support that is angled down. All half makes sense now but no mounting hole on the front panel it seems an inch or more away. How many bearings etc go in at the top cos I have none :

 

et voila!

Big pic shows the later column (well, the same as my 78, anyway). Dash is flat at the bottom.

Inset shows (I assume) earlier with cutout in dash to accomodate bulgy column bit...

 

Ta Mine is like the one in the smaller bit !! this is where it does not reach Its well over an inch short

 

So you've got a dash with a cutout and, with the main dash panel screwed to the doorframes, you're saying the holes don't match up, yes?

Just trying to get an idea of what you've got...

 

So the original dashboard was for an early, ie it had the cut out for the ignition housing etc. The currently shown column support is for a late ergo its the wrong one. No?

 

The error is in line 3 of the original post...cut out, no cutout has been transposed

 

Hi Ta. Here is what ive got It gets even more complicated. The front panel floor etc came off a later van i believe as the throttle linkage goes along the top front of the floor.

I cant work out why it wont reach the front panel of the van, should there be an extra bracket fixed to the front panel ?

 

That may be your problem. I've no idea what the front panel mounting arrangements were for the earlier Bays with the separate plate (only familiar with the later column which just has a little M8(?) bolt up the front).

Everything else looks correct.

I'm sure the ever-knowledable fritt (who I think has an earlier van) will be along shortly to advise...

 

Where abouts are you on the island chap?

To us its posssibly looking like an earlier steering column bracket with a late dash?

Just going to look at ours.

 

Sunny Sandown

 

Okay, we have had a look and we have the same bracket and dash as you and ours is fitted :dance:

Your welcome to come and have a look if you want. We are in the middle of this small rock!

Repro parts aren't always quite the best of fits, does it just need some minor adjusting with a big hammer