RCR MKII Build Dash Question

Louis

Supporter
Hi Everyone,

The RCR MKII I got from Fran was to be a turn-key car for the previous client. Unfortunately, due to unforeseen issues the client was unable to complete the build. So I acquired the car with work already started by RCR. The client wanted the car as period correct as possible to P1015. So that's my goal.

I'm still waiting on a few remaining parts but I've begun mocking up the interior though I still don't have my seats. One issue I have is the doors not closing because they hit the dash A-pillar surround where it slopes from the top of the dash to the vertical A-pillar surround. Actually the doors don't close enough to get near the vertical A-Pillar surround.

The dash has been modified for removal so it clears the roll bar and trimmed to fit flush at the A-Pillar.

The doors look to have been set by RCR but I need to confirm that with Fran.

Thinking the dash was too low I raised it and tried closing the door with no luck but the door surround was level with the dash. If I go up any further the dash with be higher than the door surround. I need to post pictures...

Yall's experienced advice is greatly appreciated.

This will be a wonderful build and look forward to learning from this experienced group. I've had the privilege to meet a few of you already.

Thank you!
Louis
RCR MKII
 

Rick Merz

Lifetime Supporter
I had to modify my dash quite a bit to get it like I wanted it. My RCR GT40 is right hand drive so my dash is different than the left hand drive dash RCR GT40's. The ends of the dash that go down toward the sill only go half way down to the sill, they stop about 4" before the sill. I didn't like this so I extended the ends all the way down to the sill like most of the dashes that I have seen. The front edge of the dash that meets the windshield was very wavy and crooked (not level at all, so I trimmed it to match the windshield profile and then molded a return down to the aluminum mono and sanded it to match the windshield profile. One side of the top edge of the dash was low by 1" (where it lines up with the door when it is shut), and the other side was .5" low so I had to split the dash on both ends and re-fiberglass the ends so that they meet the door profiles like they should. After about 60 hours of work my dash looks good now. You may e-mail me at gt 40 rick @ yah oo . com no spaces and I will reply with my phone number. I hope to be ready for paint by September so I have probably encountered many of the same issues that you may have.

Rick Merz
 

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Hi Louis,
When I built my ’40 (a Tornado) I had similar issues with the door to dash panel gap, mainly on the left side. To resolve this, I split the door skin & pulled it to where I wanted it.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com<img src=" /><o:p></o:p>
By heating the panel with a hot air gun, it can be gently reshaped and when it cools it will retain the new shape and then re-glassed<o:p></o:p>
This was done as 2 separate operations (i.e. each plane cut, opened up & re-glassed) which made it easier, but was still a real pain.<o:p></o:p>
Regards,<o:p></o:p>
Andy<o:p></o:p>
 

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This may also help explain.
Regards,<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com<img src=" /><o:p></o:p>
Andy<o:p></o:p>
 

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Louis

Supporter
Thank you guys for the tips. Rick, I remember reading your logs and decided to also extend the dash down to the sill.

Worked on the dash last night. Came to the conclusion I just need to keep removing material so it will ride up higher on the roll bar to clear the door. Hope I'm seeing that correctly. You are right Rick in that dash takes a good bit of time to get right.

Appreciate it!
Louis
 

Rick Merz

Lifetime Supporter
Pictures below will help clarify my dash to door fitment issue mentioned in my previous post.

Rick
 

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Udo

Supporter
Hi Rick, this really looks like 60 hours of work - I have similar experiences.

Udo
 
Louis my rcr mk-2 is left hand drive I too had to modify the corners a lot to make the dash fit right around the roll bar. I would suggest that when you have it close set it out in the sun and let it bake, if you have any air pockets they will show up. We try and do this with all of our fiberglass mods it seems to save a lot of time and aggravation.....................m
 

Louis

Supporter
Thanks Mahlon. Here in Mississippi baking the fiberglass parts in the sun won't take long to heat up.

My MK2 is a right-hand drive. I forgot to mention that in my previous post. Not sure it really matters. The dash/door fitment still takes a lot of work.

I'm still waiting on parts to arrive and with a good idea of where I stand on the dash I'm going to move onto the chassis that needs a some work. I will start a new thread.

Thank you all! I'm very appreciative.

Louis
MKII
 
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