2 1/4" Instrument Holes

[nippaero]

Does anyone know who's instrument panel this is? I would like to find out how they fit the Electronics International 2 1/4" gauges in the bottom holes. The stock holes are smaller. I am wondering if they were enlarged and how they did it with the hole flanges. My clock is bad and I would like to put in an EI clock.

[ghostflyer]

Well that's not my instrument panel but I have EI instruments . I simply cut a totally new panel . I drew out a panel design on my computer then put the info on a memory stick and then gave it to a company that cut a new panel using water jet . Total cost was about 50 dollars including the aluminium . I sat in the waiting room with cup of tea. They cut 2 for me exactly the same but one very thin metal so i could have a look at the product before they cut the final.

[4583C]

Does anyone know who's instrument panel this is? I

Pretty sure that panel belongs to Hilltop170.

[nippaero]

Thanks ghostflyer. I sent you an email.

[Ryan Smith]

Thanks ghostflyer. I sent you an email.

Big difference between a shock panel and the fixed panel, Mike. That's Richard Pulley's panel in the picture, like Paul said. If you want a new panel, Jeff Tourt with the 120-140 Association made a new fixed panel with a hydro form press. I have the shock panels drawn up in CAD for the older panels, I can customize a file to whatever you need.

[nippaero]

Thanks Ryan. I'll send you an email separately on the CAD files. Making a new panel would be on my wish list for now. If I could get the basic outline of a panel drawn up I could play with the holes and layout. Not sure if I would go with a fixed or shock mounted version. I think there are advantages to each.

For now I am just considering how to get a new clock in there.

[hilltop170]

That is indeed my panel. As I wanted to keep as much of the original panel in place as I could while upgrading to digital instruments, the four 2-1/4" instrument holes were carefully enlarged with a Dremel tool using a burr/grinder bit, stopping just short of entirely removing all of the recessed flanges. The upper shock panel was fabricated out of 1/8" stock as I added the additional center stack hole which was not in the original and not feasible to add to the original.

There is a hidden support panel behind the four holes that actually hold the instruments and is in turn attached to the panel with four screws. That hidden panel was removed and stored intact and a completely new hidden support panel was fabricated to accept the EI instruments and attached with the same four screws.

It took a little work but came out nice I think. Hope this helps.

[nippaero]

Richard, thanks for clearing up how you enlarged those holes. Sounds like a bit of work.

[hilltop170]

Carefully enlarging the holes is not too bad, easier than making a new panel. The hardest part is getting behind the panel to remove and replace the hidden support bracket that holds the 4 instruments.