311 Dash Face Replacement Tech Section
For the early flat dash cars there are dash face plates available to spruce up your little datsun sports from several of the vendors. The plates can either be ordered precut for a stock installation or blank for a custom installation. They are available in carbon fiber, rosewood, or burl. I used a carbon fiber in my 67.5 stroker. I plan on using a rosewood on my '66.
Installation is relatively easy. I did mine with the dash out of the car but I am sure it can be done leaving the dash in the car. The first thing you have to do is remove the trim ring that goes around the outside of the dash. It is held on by little clips mounted to pegs sticking through the back of the dash. Next you will have to remove the gauges, turn signal indicators, and switches. Mark all the connections really well so reassembly will be a sure thing and not a guessing game. Next take a cleaner of your choice to wipe the dash face down really well. Get the surface real clean so the dash plate will have no problems sticking. Do a dry fit on the face plate to see how things line up. Once you are happy with the fit, remove the backing from the adhesive side of the dash plate. Slowly working from one end or the other place the dash plate onto the dash face. Press the dash plate onto the dash face. The adhesive backing really holds well so get it right the first time because taking it off could get real ugly. If the holes do not line up perfectly you can take a small round file and touch things up. For the blank plate the only real reference you have is the glove box-so use it to line up the plate.
Next if you are using the precut plate you can start putting your gauges, turn indicators and switches back in place. You can use the trim ring on the outside but I chose to leave it off on my install. Personal choice comes into play here.
If you chose the custom install (blank plate), carefully locate your center points for the gauges, turn indicators, and switches. Use an appropriate sized drill bit or hole saw to cut out for the above mentioned items. Take it slow especially when drilling through the face plate. You will be drilling into the old dash plate if you chose not to use the existing holes. A hole saw should have no problem boring through the thin metal. Clean up any burrs with a small round file. Install gauges, turn indicators and switches.
That pretty much sums up installing a face plate on the low windshield early cars.