Revival of speedo refacing

[Drikk14]

So long story short cleaning up the inside of my gauges I got alcohol on the fuel gauge. It wiped out from 1/4 to E and most of the E on my gauge. As 83 guages are hard to come by and I REALLY don't want to spend a lot on gauges as I'd like to get a digital dash eventually as Yellowjacket! has, I found Sable's gauge overlay.

http://home.comcast.net/~slapshot1342/GaugeTemplates.htm

I can use all templates but the speedometer as I want the 140mph one. I have my speedo apart and a scanner so I can scan my 83 speedometer and use the rest of Sable's wonderful templates. I was wondering if anyone knows what program he/she used to color the gauges before importing to word at 100% and if anyone would like me to post once done so that we can use the templates on both versions of the speedo.  ???

[Drikk14]

Found an online editor that worked well reworked Sable's blue tach and scanned my 83's speedo messing around now to size it right got the size right and it was just a hair crooked back to start  :D

[Jimustanguitar]

I'd be interested to see how it turns out, I've considered doing that job too. I'm not missing any print, but it looks dated and worn out.

Keep us posted, good luck!

[Drikk14]

Will do the biggest issue I've had so far is sizing. Can't exactly get the same dimensions on the file but it is very close and they are the same relative size when I print so hopefully once I put in word it will look good. I'd post pics so far but it looks horrible atm like I used microsoft paint on a photo but for the most part I'm redoing all with font and erasing numbers gonna use the tick marks to line up as well as the holes I made circles for. Once I get the speedo set I'll post pics

[Drikk14]

Work so far obviously I just personlized Sable's Tach and you can kinda see the progress on the 140mph Speedo. Redid all the words and numbers need to finish coloring in the dashes and dots. VERY tedious but hopefully worth it. In school full time for Precision Machining Technology so this is second to school work but trying to do a little bit daily.


After posting saw the error on the 100 KM\H and fixed!!

[Lucky]

I had a broken 82 speedo. Pulled the face off & found that the ink can be  completely removed leaving a plain yellow plastic face. If you just put an overlay you can see the old printing when the lights are on. Don't remember what solvent I used,  I think it was acitone or poss mineral spirits.

[Rick G]

I made a new transparent face to put my overlays on. Not that hard. Humber sent me the originals from Poland.

[Drikk14]

Yes I know that my paint came off with a drop of alcohol so figure once I get the new one lined up and the holes in the right spots I'd remove all the old speedo paint and then attach the new one/glue it down. That is the reason I'm doing it was trying to clean off fuel gauge needle and alcohol dropped onto it so now my fuel gauge is half obliterated. that and they are all faded anyway.
I finished the lines last night added the XZ 550

[Lucky]

Not sure if you know it, but pulling off the TACH needle will destroy the tach. Many have tried all have failed you would. You would need to slice the overlay from the center hole to the outside edge to install it in place.
It would be a good idea to paint a black stripe or glue a black strip down under where the strip will go I case of future shrinkage.

Some sort of UV protection is in order too.


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[Drikk14]

I did not know this  :o Well guess I need a new tach...... Any suggestions for UV protection. Is there a spray coating or clear sheet material?

[Rick G]

Lucky's right.If the needle came off (a new experience for me!)  your OK . If the shaft came out , its dead. Even if you reinstall the shaft and needle its done,

[Drikk14]

Ok just the needle came off no shaft.... Hopefully it works. Time will tell

[Rick G]

Your Lucky! No, your Drikk14 ,LOL. 
I have  never been able to remove a needle with out getting the shaft too!

[Lucky]

I know there is a clock makers tool for removal of needles. I don't have one... yet


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[Drikk14]

I used the old post that Dave/Yellowjacket! posted so I used a computer slot cover worked slick!! Hopefully all is well when I put back together if not I know where to borrow one for a bit  ;D