Integral Brazilian Tachometer - First Mockup Phase Successful

Roger, nice write-up. You've got me thinking I can do this on my car. - Matt

 

awesome, cant wait to see the finished product

 

Some awesome talents on this forum looks great you know your going to have to offer this to all of us guys right!!!!!!!!!!.......lol

 

Real Nice work and write up!

 

Awesome!! (as usual)

 

Thanks for all the nice comments.

I have updated/edited both of my main posts in this thread, so that it's more accurate for others that may want to try this, and also to include the good news that:

- The Response of the Tach's pointer is the same as before I mounted it in the dash. The pointer and extended needle are so lightweight, that it responds quick.

- Also, I tested it with all my other gauges, and also the Tach does NOT interfere with the operation of the Fuel Gauge. I noticed NO counter EMF, and NO Fuel Gauge fluctuation, when the tach is cycling, which is good news. The complete words "Fuel" are visable, with space to spare, from ALL viewing angles. The 1/8" move upwards did not obscure anything.

- Also, NONE of the drilled holes, and mounting screws interferes with the backplane circuitry, luckily enough, it did NOT cut any circuit traces, and NONE of the wiring had to be modified.

I'm working on the Brazilian inspired Tachometer graphics now.

 

I finished drawing the graphics for the Brazilian inspired Tachometer Dial Face.

This graphics file had to be in JPEG format, in order to upload to this post, but the original version has an even better resolution, in BitMap format, with no pixilation or blurring. The number "4" is supposed to be off center....and this will look even better when it is sized down for the size of the Maverick/Comet Tach Inner-Dial Face, which is close to 2 inches in diameter on the center section. The White line just below the Fuel Gauge, on the Factory gauge dial, will still show.

The BitMap version does not have the brushed aluminum graphics in the center...I just put that in this version I posted online, so you can see the white perimeter line that the numbers set on. The real thing will allow a portion of your car's actual Brushed Aluminum to show.



Here's the Concept Drawing again for Visualization and Comparison:


What a pain this was to do. I think drawing these dial-face graphics, was the single hardest thing I've done yet for this Maverick!!! LOL! Mounting the Tach was easier than drawing this! I didn't have a Dial Face to scan, and I wanted to be sure the full sweep matched the calibration of the Sunpro Tach, so I just did it by hand. I scanned a spare Maverick Speedometer dial face into my computer, so I could get the exact same Ford Fonts. I had to scan it 9 separate times, so that I had the numbers 0 - 8 positioned at the correct angle, to match the Sunpro Dial. I believe the original Sunpro dial has the exact same sweep, and number positions of the origninal Brazilian Tachs anyway....at least it looks dead on from the pictures I've held it up to.

I will use my better resolution graphics, to have a local graphics company make an Overlay. I don't think having a company silk screen the graphics straight onto the dial would look that much better. I will try to have them match the correct gloss on the Black background, to match the Maverick/Comet Speedometer's Black background color. I will post pictures in this thread, of the overlay installed, as soon the graphics company finishes them. I still don't know the price yet, but I hope that since I've already done a drawing, that it helps the cost. Anyone is welcome to use this graphic, and I can also email the BitMap version...but I might have some extra overlays made if they aren't that much.

If I'm able to figure out the 90 degree sweep, electric gauges later, I will do the graphics for those separately.

 

This is going to be really cool when you get it all done.

 

When posting a picture that was originated as a BMP I always save it as a PNG file instead. That way it doesn't lose any quality when it's uploaded.

 

Make

"What a pain this was to do. I think drawing these dial-face graphics, was the single hardest thing I've done yet for this Maverick!!! LOL! Mounting the Tach was easier than drawing this!"

"Anyone is welcome to use this graphic, and I can also email the BitMap version...but I might have some extra overlays made if they aren't that much."

The most cost is going to be doing just one. You might as well go ahead and produce several of them. You have the potential of a nice little business here. Either doing the complete mod for us or just supplying the dial face. I think that I would rather send my unit to someone that knows what he is doing, rather going thru the learning curve myself.

 

That looks great

 

by TopoRanger: "The most cost is going to be doing just one. You might as well go ahead and produce several of them. You have the potential of a nice little business here. Either doing the complete mod for us or just supplying the dial face. I think that I would rather send my unit to someone that knows what he is doing, rather going thru the learning curve myself."
---

I would be willing to do some complete Tach-only setups, after mine is finalized.

I didn't start this sub-project with the intention of trying to make a side business out of it, but I think it is great that others are interested. I work a full time job, that flys me all over from time to time, and I've owned my own company years ago, so I wouldn't be doing this for alot of gain.

I'm just having fun like all the rest of you, on this great website, run by Stefan. This website gives so many of us, a way to share common interests and goals, as well as providing an opportunity to make new friends. Now THAT is what I call Social Networking. Facebook eat your heart out. Look at all the local gatherings that this site has helped out. I respect the time that it takes, to keep this site running smoothly, 24/7. Thanks Stefan. I hope someone on here nominates this site for a website forum award some day.

I have learned alot from many of the veteran members on here. I think the Maverick/Comets are slowly evolving toward the Mustang culture, with so many enthusiasts getting involved with these cars. Alot of people on here figured out things years ago that have benefited me and many others. I have seen many of the members on here, help people by giving repair/help advice, from across long distance, that has literally saved them hundreds of dollars in repair costs. That is another great thing about this website that deserves mentioning.

Figuring out the best type of shipping box, that is cost effective, is needed, and I haven't worked out the oil-water-volt sweep gauges portion, and I'm not for sure if anyone else is wanting that look added to their Cluster too.

I would prefer your early style, SPARE Instrument Cluster is sent, with as few broken pieces as possible....along with a new Sunpro Tach. I can supply the needles, super glue, and Graphics Overlay, if you're wanting the Brazilian inspired setup.

And finally, figuring out a fair price.

Those interested are welcome to toss around ideas....in the meantime...I will try to get my Graphics Overlay made as soon as possible, to help figure out a price, and see how it looks installed.

Has anyone ever worked with the later year Instrument Clusters? ....and have a picture of the back of the housing they can post? I've heard they are even more brittle and harder to work with than the early years?

 

I wouldn't dare try it with the later cluster (white). Way too brittle.

 

What is this Brazilian tach to mention? Why didn't you just try to get one of those? Yours does look excellent though. Any chance you would do another for some money?