And So It Begins....

[SanRemo78]

Thanks Nigel - I assume the "large connector" is an electrical one? The stalks I have are already "modified" but I need to make sure they work as they are supposed to before I take the wiring much further!

[Nigel]

I don't know what you mean by 'already modified'. They
are plug and play wiring.
Yes, there's a shrouded spade connector on the left which fouls
the LHD cowling.

Nigel

[SanRemo78]

Wires have been cut off and alternative connectors fitted Nigel. Photos might have helped but I was in a rush to get to the pub..... Again.

[SanRemo78]

Pictures paint a thousand words? Here's the column stalks I was donated/bought (can't remember) from a LHD car along with the cowling. Yet to be tested so may need to be replaced but you can see that the leads have been hacked about somewhat. No idea why and it doesn't bother me at this point! For anyone else wanting to swap the stalks to achieve a more conventional layout they're not a straight swap sadly, the mounting lugs on the column are in the wrong spots and one of the terminals fouls the mounting too. All easily resolved with a couple of aluminum plates bolted onto the column and then drilled/tapped for the mounting screws and some butchery with a hacksaw to sort the interference with the terminal. Fitted and level. Onto the next task - lunch - and then the aircon hose as the fittings arrived next day delivery.

[SanRemo78]

A little cleaning up required and a dab of paint too.
What is odd about this is that my first Beta, a 1978 HPE had the early brown dash and mustard trim with the earlier triangular tipped stalks. When the interior wore out I bought an entire interior from a later car including the dash and everything swapped over without any (major) issues. I also have a memory (which may be faulty) that I converted the stalks to the later ones, also from a LHD car, but that that was a straight swap. I'm probably imagining it.....

[SanRemo78]

Well that's the mechanical side of the aircon install done. The last unions fitted and tightened up. The dashboard has been tested and nothing catches or can chafe. I think I need one more P clip to finish it. The -10 hose through the right side of the bulkhead was a bit of a bugger today, as the last of it went into position it pulled the grommet out. In the end I had to resort to a piece of clear plastic sheet around the hose so that friction was reduced but the pig of a job was putting the grommet back which entailed dropping the steering column. I have a feeling it might fight me again if any wiring has to go through there too...