M1 Gauge Face Installation Guide
NA/Miata Installation: Please read this installation guide completely before starting. Even though the gauge face replacement is not a difficult job, it requires patience and careful work.
Tool and materials needed:
Medium and small Phillips screwdrivers. Small flat-bladed screwdriver and soft cloth or small fork Glue/ Small nippers/Red marker pen or small paint brush/Magnifying glass.
You do not have to remove the steering wheel for the installation.
Before starting the removal, run the engine with no accessories, lights, or air conditioner until it reaches normal operating temperature. Then, either take a photograph or make a diagram of the locations of all the gauge needles. You will use this to re-locate the needles after installation of the new faces.
Step 1 :Remove the instrument hood.

(1) Remove four screws from under the steering column.
(2) Gently pull apart the top and bottom halves of the turn signal housing.
(3) Remove the two screws under the instrument hood.
(4) Grasp the instrument hood on each side and pull it straight toward you.
(5) Remove the four screw around the gauge assembly case.

 There are two wiring connectors at the left and right top of the case. Gently pull these backwards while pressing down on the release. Remove the speedometer cable connector (a white cylinder) by pressing the release on the right side and gently pulling the gauge assembly forward.
Step 2: Remove the gauges.

After removing the plastic gauge cover, remove the needle pointers from the gauges. A simple way is to wiggle a small fork under the needle on both sides of the gauge shaft and pull firmly but gently straight up. A flat-bladed screwdriver covered with soft cloth is another way.
Step 3: Remove partitions around indicators. About Needle position is vertical.
Needle start position is vertical like version CR, you should remove the small plastic partitions around the indicators at the bottom of the tachometer (headlights, hold sign for AT, air-bag). It you do not, the bottom of the tachometer will not be lighted. Use a small nipper to clip and remove the partition material. If your new gauge needle start position is normal, you do not need to remove any of the partition material.
Step 4: Install gauge faces and replace bulb covers.
BackLight at night time

(1) Remove the stock gauge faces by unscrewing the two small screws on the face. You may need to remove the gauge from the pod by unscrewing the screws on the backside. Install the new faces. Do not re-set the needles at this time.
(2) Glue the needle stoppers to the face of the tachometer gauges.
(3) Replace all four green light bulb covers with the orange ones provided. Remove the bulbs from the back of the instrument assembly by twisting them and pulling out.
(4)If you choose to re-paint the needles, Model paint is a good choice. first remove the white paint with a Q-Tip and a mild solvent such as Goof-Off. Do not use paint remover or another strong solvent as it will damage the plastic. Make sure you remove all of the white paint. Do not re-set the needles on the gauges at this time.
Step 5: Reinstall the instrument assembly and set needles.
Re-install the instrument assembly in the car without the clear plastic gauge cover and reconnect the connectors and speedometer cable. Run the engine with no accessories, lights, or air conditioner until normal operating temperature is reached.
While engine is running, gently set the needles at the same positions as indicated in your photograph or diagram. Note that the tachometer and speedometer needles are different. See below for typical locations of the needles. Do not firmly set the needles at this time.
Typical needle positions:
1 ) Speedometer - Zero.
2) Tachometer - At warm idle, about 850 RPM.
3) Water - At warm idle, around 170-180 degrees or about 11:00-11:30 o'clock.
4) Fuel - At idle, set it at the position in your photograph or diagram. If in doubt, fill the gas tank to full and set the needle at full. Note: The fuel gauge reacts slowly, so allow sufficient time after you start the engine for the gauge to respond before setting the needle.
5) Oil pressure - At warm idle, around 30 psi or about 10:30-11:00 o'clock.
Step 6: Test drive and FINISH!

Take a test drive to verify that the gauges and needles are operating properly. You may need to remove and re-position the needles several times to obtain the correct positions. Once you are satisfied the positions are correct, gently press the needles more firmly on to the gauge shafts. Do not press hard and make sure the needle is not rubbing on the gauge face.
Take another test drive to make sure everything is still operating properly. Then, install the clear plastic gauge cover. It is recommended that the instrument assembly be removed from the car before the cover is re-attached.
That's all. Enjoy your new gauge faces!