Separate instrument option
From GTM Workshop
In standard form the Libra utilises the standard K Series Rover Metro instrument pack and switchgear for the heater and rear fog light switch. When using the separate instrument option therefore it is necessary to use special cables to operate the heater unit and switches for the heater fan and rear fog light. The separate instruments themselves have been specially designed for the Libra and fit to a binnacle design for the purpose. The standard Rover Metro K Series dashboard wiring loom is replaced in its entirety with a special loom manufactured by GTM for the separate instrument option.
All of the components necessary to fit the separate instrument option are provided in the pack provided by GTM Cars Ltd. Listed below are all the components provided within the separate instrument option kit.
Kit components required
- T1710 Moulding separate instrument binnacle.
- T1711 Moulding separate instrument - top.
- T1712 Separate instruments and warning lights.
- T1713 Switch - rear fog.
- T1714 Switch - cooling fan.
- T1715 Bezel plates - instruments.
- T1717 Bezel plates - switches
- T1718 Bessel plates - heater control
- T1721 Heater control sliders
- T1722 Wiring loom - separate instruments,
- T1723 Electronic speeds sender
- T1724 Fastener pack - separate instruments.
Start the assembly by fitting your separate instruments and warning lights T1712 into the instrument binnacle moulding T1710. The instrument binnacle has marks in it to indicate the position of the instruments. Cut out these holes using any suitable method. Hold the bezel plate instruments T1715 up against the instrument binnacle and using the bezel as a template mark up and cut out any mismatches in the holes.
Place in the two end instruments as locators and mark up the positions onto the instrument binnacle for the four warning lights. Measure the diameter required for the warning lights from the lights provided to you and drill out the warning light holes in the instrument binnacle. It may be necessary to open out the warning light holes in the bezel plate for the instruments depending on which warning lights have been provided within the kit.
All the instruments and warning lights can be now mounted through the bezel plate through the binnacle and secured using the clamps provided.
Fix the switch bezel plate T1717 to the dashboard using four number eight possi drive self tapping screws drilling the dashboard first with a 3.5mm diameter drill. Mark through the two right-hand squares with a scriber onto the dashboard the holes for the heater fan and rear fog light switches. Remove the bezel plate and cut out the two previously drawn squares. By cutting out slightly larger than the scribes square you will find that the switches latch better to the bezel plate. Remount the bezel plate to the dashboard with the four screws.
The fog light switch T1713 can now be pushed in to the far right hole and the cooling fan switch T1714 placed in the other hole.
Cut hole in the driver's door pillar as shown in the drawing at the end of this manual to accept bezel plate T1715 Keep this hole to a minimum so as not to reduce the strength of the box section. Drill these holes 3.5mm diameter and attach the plate using 6 black posse drive screws number 8 x 12mm long.
Following the drawing cut the hole On the top of the dashboard to allow the cables to run through from the box section into the dashboard. Remove the heater control bezel plate from the box section and fit in the heater control sliders T1721 to the bezel plate using 2 black number 8 possi drive 12mm long self tapping screws. It is difficult to machine bend the 45 degree bend and at the bottom of the bezel plate and therefore it may be necessary to sharpen this bend in a vice so that you get a good fit with the sliders. Once the sliders are fitted remove any of the bottom tails that protrude over the edge of the bezel plate in order to neaten the assembly.
The bezel plate can now be fitted to the box section with the cable coming up through the hole previously trimmed at the bottom of the dashboard.
Drill the 20mm diameter hole in the front corner of the heater box in the dashboard to allow the cables to run back through under the dashboard arid connect to the heater mixer By fitting up the heater unit under the dashboard it will be clear where exactly to drill this hole to allow the cable to run through without bending them excessively The rear would made from steel can be connected up to flap on the heater unit the cable without any modification.
The front plastic flap assembly requires a 3mm hole to be drilled in it as on the drawing close to the rib and slot. By drilling this hole it is possible to fit the standard cable end through the hole to operate the mechanism.
Both the control cables can be conveniently attached to the heater mixer unit using tie wraps Position the cables so that they work the flaps appropriately arid then tie wrap the cables to the Standard mounts.
Fit everything up permanently and looping the cables over the instruments pack check that everything works freely and closes and shuts the appropriate flaps.
Mount electronic Speedo sender T1734 to the normal output from the gearbox at the rear of your car. On early models of the 1.4 engine cars it may be necessary to leave on the short Speedo cable and then attach the electronic Speedo sender to the end of that cable. Take the electric wire that replaces the Speedo cable and attach to the gearbox end and run over the petrol tank under the car and through into the dashboard area as the standard Speedo cable wooled run Tiewrap the Speedo cable to any appropriate cable or pipe under the tunnel making sure of course that the gearchange is not going to foul it Finally fit in the GTM separate instrument-wiring loom T1722 referring to the drawing at the end of the manual. This wiring loom totally replaces the standard Rover Metro K Series dashboard-wiring loom. The Austin Rover K Series wiring loom should be removed completely and discarded. Start be plugging the wiring loom into the fusebox and the normal K Series wiring loom. Attach the GTM electronic Speedo wiring loom to the separate instrument-wiring loom adjacent to where the wiring loom is plugged into the standard form.
The wiring loom now runs under the instruments to the switches and then across the top of the instruments to the warning lights and gauges By following the diagram it should be relatively easy to plug in all these electrical connectors.
By wiring the fan switch as shown on the left-hand side of the drawing it will run the fan at a medium speed when switched on The other two colours can be used if you desire for high speed and low speed Provided within the wiring loom are two extra illumination wires in case you should fit any extra switches.
Unfortunately the temperature gauge and the oil pressure gauge provided within the separate instrument pack require different senders to be fitted at the engine end These senders are provided within the separate instrument and warning light pack T1712. The temperature sender purely replaces the standard temperature sender on the K Series engine and it is necessary to replace the standard plug with a female spade connector, which slips over the top of the end of the temperature sender provided.
The oil pressure sender replaces the standard oil pressure light switch. which is positioned adjacent to the oil filter. Remove the standard sender switch and replace it with the sender provided within the instrument pack. Here again it will be necessary to remove the standard plug and replace it with a spade connector.
The spade connector should be attached to the M terminal of the sender unit.
