Wood likes to move with the change in it moisture content. There are
a couple of things that could cause the wooden dash to split. First
was the wood dried to the proper moisture content, I believe about 7
to 10 %. You do not want to use green wood. Most likely you wood had
the proper moisture content.
Next, was the dash panel finished on both sides? This is important to
keep the two sides in balance. If one side was not finished, it would
more readily absorb moisture causing that side to expand, causing the
finished side to become concave (warped). An old time method of
correcting a warped panel (or table top) is to take the panel outside
in the early morning, put the concave side down on the moist grass and
let it sit in the sun. The sun removes the excess moisture on one side
that has expanded and the wet grass adds moisture to the other side.
At some point the wood is back in balance and is flat.
Finish all sides of the dash.
Lastly and the most likely, you mounted the wooden dash panel like the
metal one was attached. You caused a restraint at the ends as well as
the middle. The dash panel was probably a beautiful piece of wood
with an exotic grain pattern. This would expand and contract is all
kinds of directions and since it was restrained the stress caused the
panel to split to relieve the stress. In addition, the cars natural
flexing could also contribute to the stressing. Recommend that the
attachment points at the ends of the dash be made to free float. You
can do this by elongating the bracket mounting holes at the ends to
allow horizontal movement. If you are also mounting it on the bottom
of the panel at the console, elongate these holes in the vertical
direction. When you attach the panel only snug the screws at the
elongated holes. This will allow the wood to move without splitting.
I like woodworking.
Marty Schlining
57 MGA Coupe
75 MGB
______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: wood dash panels
Author: "CHARLES JOINER" <CJOINER@toltec.astate.edu> at BALT.SMTP
Date: 2/21/96 5:10 PM
An gentleman came by my shop last night to show me he had gotten his
75 B running. He had wooden dash panels that were badly cracked and
split. He said that that had happened after two hours of sitting out
in the sun. Wood by itself does not do well in the sun. Lots of
protective coating is necessary. Maybe some knowledgable wood worker
can help us all out here.
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