Personalization has always been a central focus of for most car owners, but a significant number of today’s car owners are unaware of the fact that one of the early motivations for the pastime was the desire to make a low-cost automobile appear to be of high-end quality.
This is the reason why damascene or engine-turned dash inserts have become popular. These inserts are comparable to those that can be found in luxury automobiles like Bugattis and Lincolns.
Of course, the dash from the 1931 Auburn, whether it was a genuine one or a reproduction, has been converted into a number of hot rods. That’s right, the 1932 Ford V-8 really included a dash piece that converted into the engine.
As Mick Jenkins, owner of Mick’s Paint in Pomona, California, started to detail his stack-injected, big-block Chevy-powered Deuce Roadster, he made the decision to recess the dash panel and add a full-width engine-turned insert in the form of the well-known Deuce Roadster that was driven by Done Spence.
The engine-turned inserts are available from a number of hot rod suppliers in many different shapes and sizes, and, of course, you can buy sheets of uncut aluminum or stainless-steel from which you can cut your own shape (you just have to be careful not to damage the finish; leave the protective plastic on), or you could other metals such as brass or copper.
While the recessing of the dashboard panel itself is unquestionably a more difficult process, it is something that can be accomplished at home with the help of a welder and some reasonably priced tools. It is only necessary to exercise caution and measure twice before making a single cut.
The Elegance of a Touch
In order to imitate its more expensive big brother Lincoln, the standard 1932 Ford V-8 engine had a dash insert that was a scaled-down version of the engine.
Width Full-Width FTW
This full-width engine-turned dash insert is installed in a recessed dash panel that was fabricated by Pauly Rivera, a fabricator at Mick’s Paint in Pomona, California, for Mick Jenkins’ Deuce Roadster.
The Center-Cut Dash Panel is Suitable for an Appetizer
Fabricator Pauly Rivera began by using an air-powered cut-off wheel to gently cut off the middle of Micks’ Deuce dash panel. This was the first step in the process. It was a brand new panel from Brookville Roadster that was used in this instance.
Helping to Support the Effort
After that, Pauly proceeded to cut several pieces of mild steel strap measuring 1 inch by ⅛ inch. These straps were intended to serve as temporary supports for the newly installed recessed dash panel.
View from the Back
You can observe that portions of 1 x ⅛-inch strap were twisted into L-shaped legs and tacked onto the rear of the dashboard. This can be visually observed from the backside of the dashboard.
Go back to the center.
After that, the original center component of the dash panel was positioned on top of the support straps so that Pauly could determine the breadth of his filler pieces.
Clecos drilling operation
Pauly fastened the piece into place once it had been properly positioned there, and then he bored some holes measuring ⅛ of an inch for the purpose of putting the Clecos.
Strong Clamps produce parts that are straight.
Following the drilling of two small holes measuring ⅛ inches through the dashboard and the support straps, Pauly utilized Cleco fasteners to ensure that the components were securely attached to one another. Instead, you might use bolts of a smaller size.
Setting the Boundaries
Following that, Pauly put the width of the filler pieces onto some 18-gauge sheetmetal that had been coated with Dykem.
Finding a Way to Make the Cut
Following that, the shear was used to cut the strips of sheetmetal; however, you are free to use whatever tools that you have available to you in order to accomplish the cut.
Put on your TIG rig and get ready to go!
Following that, Pauly secured his filler strips in place by tack welding them using a TIG welder. Since it is obvious that they get more narrow as they move toward the bottom, it is necessary to exercise caution when making and installing them.
The Tack-Dance
From this vantage point, it is possible to view the first filler strip that has been tacked into place, as well as the additional filler strips that are ready to be installed.
Blue Dykem’s Rhapsody in Blue
A look at the dashboard, which features the blue Dykem filler pieces that have been tacked in around the top.
The Tacks Behind the Scenes
It is easy to see the filler pieces that have been tacked into place when one examines the panel from the rear and looks at the end of the panel.
In conclusion, weld
It is now time to finish-weld the recessed insert, which Pauly accomplished by utilizing a TIG and silicon-bronze rod. This method is more efficient and results in less warpage than other welding methods.
Making the Beads Smooth
Following the completion of the finish welding process with the silicon-bronze filler rod, Pauly utilized an air-powered sanding drum in order to properly clean the joint. An electric or cordless drill may be used with a drum if you so desired.
Prepared for their installation
After being cleaned, the recessed panel that has been completed is now prepared to be put in Mick’s Roadster. It should be noted that these panels are normally bolted in.
Rather than Bolted, Welded
As we said previously, the dash panel is generally bolted into the Deuce; however, Mick wanted it to be welded into the car so that he could avoid using the screws that are used to secure it.
Smoothness achieved by unscrewing
As can be seen in this close-up of the corner, the screws that were used to secure the corner have been removed, and Pauly has welded the dash panel into the cowl to create a smooth appearance.
Protection of the Surface
This engine-turned dash inlay made of aluminum with a natural finish was purchased from SO-CAL Speed Shop. Make note of the fact that the protective covering has been kept in place in order to, well, protect the surface.
The final touch at the end
FPM Metals, located in Fairbury, Nebraska, was responsible for the installation of this black anodized panel at some point. There is a broad variety of turning sizes, colors, and forms that may be supplied by FPM.
How To Build a Custom Engine-Turned Dash Panel – careerscholars.com
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