Indicator Binnacle Install

So its been a fair while since ive updated but i havent stopped working on the mini.

My next installment is incorporating the indicator binnacle and the ignition barrel from the starlet onto the mini steering column. The reason for using the these is for the simplicity of installing the wiring loom. Its much easier to plug in all the current connections straight into each other rather than having to cut and splice wires,although in saying that you still have to mount the indicator binnacle and ignition barrel somehow.

So before i could install the steering column i had to install the steering rack. This was going to be annoying having to remove the engine and subframe, but while i was at it i figured i might as well rebuild the steering rack with parts from the Mini King in NSW. The parts cost me around $90 including new bearings, gaiters and what not.

The first part of installing the binnacle was removing the bracket that holds it, but be sure to measure the distance between the ignition barrel and the bracket as the plastic shroud mounts over the top. What i ended up with was a pipe that was slightly larger than the steering column that would slide over the top. This would mount the ignition barrel as well as clamping the bracket to the column, and the indicator binnacle bracket would be welded to the top of the pipe. I'm not sure where i had read this but i think it was from another persons build on Ausmini, but it was said that the engineer told them that they werent allowed to weld anything to the steering column, hence the removable pipe bracket.

Here is the bracket alone.