GPS Speedo & Tach Info

Discussion of TABC-related matters
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loustaller
Posts: 97
Joined: Fri Jul 21, 2017 7:51 pm

GPS Speedo & Tach Info

Post by loustaller » Sun Jul 21, 2024 9:51 pm

Hello all, I need some help. I have a '49 TC with a Lotus Elan twin cam engine and gearbox and am hoping I can retain the original Jaeger gauges but don't know what options I might have. The cable driven tach would be ok but there isn't room for the tach drive because the new engine mount is in the way. The speedo is driven by the gearbox as is the Lotus but I would need to find a suitable drive and calculate the gearing for it to be somewhat accurate. I'm lost!
I contacted a known gauge rebuilder and was quoted the speedo would cost $500 for conversion to GPS plus the cost of the rebuild. Ouch!
Any suggestions or recommendations will be very much appreciated.
Lou

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robertscottcostello
Posts: 28
Joined: Wed Jul 13, 2022 3:30 am
Location: West Dundee IL

Re: GPS Speedo & Tach Info

Post by robertscottcostello » Mon Jul 22, 2024 5:09 am

Given the value of original instruments, my advice, should you decide to go this route, is to purchase replacement instruments and modify those. You might find that you can sell your originals and cover the cost.
1949 TC7556
https://vintagemgchicago.com/
verbum sapientes constat pecunia

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Franz Tenbrock
Posts: 574
Joined: Wed Jul 11, 2018 9:39 am
Location: Waltrop Germany

Re: GPS Speedo & Tach Info

Post by Franz Tenbrock » Mon Jul 22, 2024 12:27 pm

Hello
take a GPS speedometer
you will find many from Chinese sellers
take a dial from Declan and put it all together
but
you should put the old speedo in a box and keep it safe
you can build it for 50 Euros by yourself

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JonnyP
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Joined: Sun Apr 24, 2022 5:02 pm
Location: Gloucestershire UK

Re: GPS Speedo & Tach Info

Post by JonnyP » Mon Jul 22, 2024 2:05 pm

Hi Lou,
TC2190 has a TA Diff fitted, so the speedo was inaccurate. Speedograph Richfield in the UK built me a converter gearbox and cable which corrected the error. Because it’s all built to order the cable can have any type of end fitting you like, so could have a TC fitting at the speedo end and Lotus at the other. The cost in USD was roughly $150 from memory. There is then no need to modify the original speedo. Www.Speedograph-richfield.com
TC2190 / XPAG1098 (originally 2745).

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loustaller
Posts: 97
Joined: Fri Jul 21, 2017 7:51 pm

Re: GPS Speedo & Tach Info

Post by loustaller » Wed Jul 24, 2024 8:16 am

Jonny P, that's exactly what I was looking for, to retain the original gauges. I'll have the speedo restored by FTFU here in the states and contact Speedograph- Richfield for the convertor gearbox.
Next is to figure out what can be done to retain the original tach that I'm not able to drive from the generator.
Thanks!

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