Voltmeter conversion in 67 B-Body; need graphics help
#797153
09/09/10 02:47 PM
09/09/10 02:47 PM
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 531 Virginia
JimG
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After being inspired by Cudajon’s post describing his ammeter-to-voltmeter conversion on his Cuda, https://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/show...rue#Post6157320 I thought I’d look into trying the same thing on my Coronet. The voltmeter Cudajon used has a needle that pivots at the top – an unusual configuration and required in my application. I bought an identical voltmeter and quickly determined that mounting it in the instrument cluster in place of the ammeter is no big deal. But unlike Cudajon’s application, I can’t adapt the round Sunpro gauge face for use in the Coronet’s rectangular ammeter space. So, I disassembled a spare ammeter and determined that the rectangular ammeter gauge faceplate can, with minor modification, be mounted to the Sunpro gauge. I am proficient at AutoCAD and I can create the voltmeter face in 1:1 scale. I can also copy the font used on the Coronet’s speedometer so the voltmeter text will match the other instruments. You’d think I’d be home free at this point, right? WRONG! Here’s my problem: I don’t know anything about graphics and have no idea how to get the voltmeter scale onto my old ammeter faceplate. I’m considering having a clear decal printed with white text, and simply sticking it on the ammeter faceplate after it’s painted black. A local printing company says they can print the decal for me, but I do not yet know how much this will cost. I also imagine this decal will be shiny and will not match the matte black finish of the existing gauge faces. Can anyone who is knowledgeable is such matters make any recommendations? Thanks, Jim PS - I can probably post some pics of my progress so far if anyone is interested in trying this in a similar car.
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Re: Voltmeter conversion in 67 B-Body; need graphics help
[Re: Andrewh]
#797155
09/09/10 03:20 PM
09/09/10 03:20 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,190 SW MO
closer9
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,190
SW MO
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Or can you have a vinyl shop make the sticker in white? I'm no expert in the process, but I think they can cut it so that the excess material can be removed, leaving only what you want to install. That doesn't really make sense, but I would recommend talking to a vinyl guy first... Is there one on here?
Daily: '19 Frontier 4WD Belle: '67 Belvedere Convertible, 318/727 in Go ManGo! Other: '64 C10, 283/3 on the tree
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Re: Voltmeter conversion in 67 B-Body; need graphics help
[Re: broncobra]
#797167
09/09/10 06:43 PM
09/09/10 06:43 PM
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 550 ne
broncobra
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If you need something with a flange, ACE HARDWARE has nylon tube things with a flange on the end that would probably work very well. I've used stuff like that in custom stereo installations. I can't remember what the heck they are called, but they are a tube with a flange on the end, made in an amazing amount of diff. sizes. Hard Nylon. They will have them in their nut and bolt section with the other odd fasteners and stuff. Otherwise, the plastic tubing and a few nylon washers would be your cheapest bet. Less than $10 bux either way.
Last edited by broncobra; 09/09/10 06:47 PM.
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Re: Voltmeter conversion in 67 B-Body; need graphics help
[Re: Andrewh]
#797168
09/09/10 06:45 PM
09/09/10 06:45 PM
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 531 Virginia
JimG
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Quote:
getting over the color issue, what does it look like put together like that in the dash?
It's still quite noticeable, but I think it's because of the drastic color mismatch. I'm slowly beginning to think that if I could match the colors up, all would be good...
Of course I'm looking at it VERY closely, where a cursory glance might not reveal the fact that there are 2 plates there.
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Re: Voltmeter conversion in 67 B-Body; need graphics help
[Re: JimG]
#797172
06/29/12 08:50 AM
06/29/12 08:50 AM
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 531 Virginia
JimG
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Almost two years later, I'm revisiting this project.
I still haven't decided what to do about the graphics, but I thought I'd post some pics that might help someone who's contemplating this same project on a 66 - 67 B-body.
Fortunately, I have a junkyard instrument cluster frame in my satsh of stuff. I'll swap my instruments into this frame and this is the one that'll go in my car.
I didn't like the way the voltmeter studs and the holes for the ammeter studs were spaced differently (see photo in earlier post). It limited the up/down adjustment of the voltmeter, and I determined that it would mount at the wrong height this way. So, I dremeled out a rectangular hole, removing the holes for the ammeter studs. Here's a pic of the removed material.
Last edited by JimG; 06/29/12 09:01 AM.
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