tolerate Posted April 6, 2015 Share Posted April 6, 2015 (edited) Hi All, This seems to be a stupid problem to have, but I bought the car from someone that swapped the clock with a boost gauge, and it seems to have the 280z clock housing, so in theory it should fit in the clock hole in the dash. However, the clock/boost gauge housing (black rim thing) is too big for the hole in the dash. Is there a trick to this or do i have to enlarge the dash hole? for clarification, I'm trying to install it from behind the dash. Edited April 6, 2015 by tolerate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lil_foot Posted April 6, 2015 Share Posted April 6, 2015 The stock gauges on my 240z were inserted and removed from the front of the dash. I think pushing them from behind would not fit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rturbo 930 Posted April 6, 2015 Share Posted April 6, 2015 The stock gauges on my 240z were inserted and removed from the front of the dash. I think pushing them from behind would not fit. You sure about that? As far as I know they're installed from the back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewZed Posted April 6, 2015 Share Posted April 6, 2015 Take one of the other gauges out and measure. You'll see how they come out and you'll know if the clock is too large. The Book says back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Six_Shooter Posted April 7, 2015 Share Posted April 7, 2015 You sure about that? As far as I know they're installed from the back. This, all S30s have the OEM gauges mounted from behind, other than the Speedo and tach, which mount from the front. To the OP: You didn't specify what car you are trying to install the clock into. The 240 uses a different mounting cup/ring than the 260/280Z, so if you're trying to use the wrong mounting cup/ring in the wrong dash it won't fit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tolerate Posted April 7, 2015 Author Share Posted April 7, 2015 This, all S30s have the OEM gauges mounted from behind, other than the Speedo and tach, which mount from the front. To the OP: You didn't specify what car you are trying to install the clock into. The 240 uses a different mounting cup/ring than the 260/280Z, so if you're trying to use the wrong mounting cup/ring in the wrong dash it won't fit. Sorry guys I have a 1977 280z. the previous owner removed it and replaced with a boost gauge. I guess he had trouble reinstalling it as well. Im guessing the gauge is from the stock 280z gauge. Just verifying the install. I tried pushing it in fron the back, but I'm breaking my dash in the process. Guess I'm alone with the problem. I'll grab the caliper and measure the gauge against the volt and oil pressure gauge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tolerate Posted April 7, 2015 Author Share Posted April 7, 2015 This, all S30s have the OEM gauges mounted from behind, other than the Speedo and tach, which mount from the front. To the OP: You didn't specify what car you are trying to install the clock into. The 240 uses a different mounting cup/ring than the 260/280Z, so if you're trying to use the wrong mounting cup/ring in the wrong dash it won't fit. Do you know if the 240z mounting ring is smaller than the 280z's, Im sure the dash is 280z. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Six_Shooter Posted April 7, 2015 Share Posted April 7, 2015 Post some pictures, and we help identify the parts you have. The fit is snug for each dash with the correct gauges, but with the right motion they fit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tolerate Posted April 12, 2015 Author Share Posted April 12, 2015 Post some pictures, and we help identify the parts you have. The fit is snug for each dash with the correct gauges, but with the right motion they fit. I've attached pictures for you guys http://imgur.com/a/SUYjf and attached comments and descriptions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Six_Shooter Posted April 12, 2015 Share Posted April 12, 2015 Ok, I think we need to back up here. I thought originally you were trying to remove the boost gauge and install a clock.Are you trying to install the boost gauge?If so, what I see in the pictures is normal. There's a technique to getting the gauge rings to fit into the holes of the dash. They don't just fall into the holes, even on the 240 dashes.You need to start on one side and kinda hook it into the hole, and then by pushing at that hooked side and kinda oscillating the gauge, you get the rest of the lip to fit through. Kinda hard to explain in text. But simply put, the gauges I have installed have (almost) never just fallen into the dash hole, they take a bit of moving and twisting and manipulation of the gauge to get it to slide in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tolerate Posted April 13, 2015 Author Share Posted April 13, 2015 Ok, I think we need to back up here. I thought originally you were trying to remove the boost gauge and install a clock. Are you trying to install the boost gauge? If so, what I see in the pictures is normal. There's a technique to getting the gauge rings to fit into the holes of the dash. They don't just fall into the holes, even on the 240 dashes. You need to start on one side and kinda hook it into the hole, and then by pushing at that hooked side and kinda oscillating the gauge, you get the rest of the lip to fit through. Kinda hard to explain in text. But simply put, the gauges I have installed have (almost) never just fallen into the dash hole, they take a bit of moving and twisting and manipulation of the gauge to get it to slide in. Sorry for the initial confusion.. when you say one side, do you mean the left/right or bottom/top? because it seems the top and bottom of the dash are too small and the left and right sides are too big. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewZed Posted April 13, 2015 Share Posted April 13, 2015 I have a clock in the garage. Measure your boost gauge and I'll dig mine out and measure it. Although, the fact that it's breaking your dash implies that it's too big. It was probably never in there. Yeah, your descriptive efforts have caused confusion. It sounded like you were trying to re-install the stock clock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Six_Shooter Posted April 13, 2015 Share Posted April 13, 2015 Not one specific side/edge, just whatever edge/side you want to start with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cgsheen Posted April 14, 2015 Share Posted April 14, 2015 The vinyl and foam shrink and warp over the years. They dry out and crack. You may want to warm them up a bit. If it were mine, I'd put it in just like you were trying in the pictures but first stick a stiff piece of plastic or a piece of manila folder (stiff but thin paper or plastic sheet or the like) on the bottom 1/3 to 1/2 of the opening to help the gauge make it past the edge of the hole without busting up the vinyl any more than necessary. Pull the sheet out as you're pushing the gauge in - it's gonna catch on the ledge of the gauge pod anyway. I did kind of the same thing with my clock housing years ago. I mounted the boost gauge innards from a 280ZXT into my clock housing. That's been my boost gauge ever since I did the turbo swap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tolerate Posted April 22, 2015 Author Share Posted April 22, 2015 The vinyl and foam shrink and warp over the years. They dry out and crack. You may want to warm them up a bit. If it were mine, I'd put it in just like you were trying in the pictures but first stick a stiff piece of plastic or a piece of manila folder (stiff but thin paper or plastic sheet or the like) on the bottom 1/3 to 1/2 of the opening to help the gauge make it past the edge of the hole without busting up the vinyl any more than necessary. Pull the sheet out as you're pushing the gauge in - it's gonna catch on the ledge of the gauge pod anyway. I did kind of the same thing with my clock housing years ago. I mounted the boost gauge innards from a 280ZXT into my clock housing. That's been my boost gauge ever since I did the turbo swap. Just got back from vacation i'll get the hair dryer out and give it a shot tonight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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