Thread: Roadster pickup gets steering wheel

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This is an old thread I saved for the day when I would install my steering column and gauges and that time is here. Hey, I'm trying to learn about this new format and answered using the quick reply and then I tried to edit my reply and lost the whole thing, so here goes again since I have a problem and I need some advice and a measurement. Today I cut a hole for a machined oval mounting plate in my 'glass Bebops dash which is a replica of a '32 Ford dash in a 'glass '29 A roadster body. I got it centered pretty good after multiple measurements. I bought a set of TPI gauges with a 3 3/8" diameter speedometer and 3 3/8" diameter Quad set for the other four gauges. The problem is that I do not have the steering column installed yet ('81 Camaro column which I have rebuilt) but I have held up my Grant steering wheel in positions like what I see in the picture above and guess what, you can't see the left gauge because the wheel gets in the way! So, I bought a tachometer to match the other gauges (3 3/8" diameter with stainless bezel) and plan to put the tach in the left hole and put the speedometer right in front of the wheel to see through the d-opening in the top of the wheel. The problem is that I want to center the speedometer before I install the column so I can paint the firewall before I put the body on the car and then install the column. I know the right way is to install the body and the column but then I have to take the body off the frame to paint the firewall because the engine is already in place! So, can one or more of you tell me the measurement from the door edge to the centerline of your steering column in an A cockpit, preferably a '29 since the '30 is a little wider. It may be that it is not possible to do any better than "eyeball" the position of the speedometer hole this way and I may have to just put it all together, install the column and THEN center the speedometer cutout. Comments, Suggestions?

In edit mode I note that C9X says the edge of his wheel is 4 1/2" from the inside of the door but I don't know if his wheel is the same size (diameter) as mine so what I need is a measurement from the inside of the door to the center of the column tube.

Don Shillady
Retired Scientist/teen rodder