Fitting a rev counter.

I just found this great how too:-
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=511830&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0&sid=eef7fd84bb996d675fbd5d1b10dbb954

 

The real challenge would be trying to backlight it at the same time though.

 

I went the easy route - 2nd hand MGB rev counter and a 80mm mounting ring from VW Heritage.

Replaced the back lights with blue LEDs - so the orginal backlighting and the rev counter all have the same colour at night.

Nice thing about the MGB rev counter - its from a similar point in history and (almost) matches the VDO instruments.

 

Just out of interest, what are the connections?

 

takes a feed off the coil or alternator?

 

i fitted one on the first bus i had...i took a feed from the points side of the coil to the revcounter (when the points open and close it sends a pulse to the counter) the main feed off the ignition or the feed side of the coil, the back light i just spliced off from the back light of the speedo..
.nice to have but do you really need one....volkswagen clearly thought....no . simple marks on the speedo on when to change up and a max cruise speed.good luck with it

 

Ah, just thought it'll be similar to wiring a dwell meter/revcounter tool. ie positive/negative and the "feed" from the Negative side of the coil.

 

switched ignition feed
feed from neg side of coil (same side as points)
earth
and backlight feed

 

Apols for the lateness of the reply - I've been at work since 5:30am and just got home (still - can't complain).

The blanking plate and the glass need to be removed - the rev counter has its own glass face. You will need the 2 screws for the new 80mm mounting ring.

There are 4 connections on the back of the new rev counter:

1. the bullet spade connector takes a feed from the -ve side of the coil, make sure you run the wire over the top of the front suspension in case you ever need to drop the beam off the van;
2. there is a spade connnector that takes a +ve ignition live feed, there is a black wire behind the dash that is ignition live so splice into that;
3. another spade connector is for the earth - it's obvious that it is for the earth, run a little bit of wire to the 'crop circle' on the back plate of the main instrument cluster where there is already a brown wire connected - it's the earth for the main dash;
4. from the headlight switch there should be a grey and red wire that runs to the backlights (x2) on the existing dash, splice into this for the rev counter back light.

That does the connections. To iinstall blue LEDs I pulled the green globes off of the instrument back plate where the backlight bulb holders go - easy to do. The green globe inside the rev counter was harder - poke thru it carefully with a sharp screw driver to break it and then fish it out with a pair of thin long nosed pliers, otherwise it means dismantling the rev counter which I didn't fancy doing.

That's it - there is an ebay shop that seems to sell only MGB rev counters, these are ideal as they fit perfectly and are of course calibrated for a 4 cylinder engine taking a coil feed.

 

Anyone know if this would fit the bill -

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MGB-GT-Roadster-rev-counter-/200885434008?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item2ec5b47698&_uhb=1

Description says MBG but googled the part no & it looks like a late Triumph Spitfire.

 

I wanted to fit this one, but it's mechanical.

 

I was thinking more "speaking tube to the engine compartment" ...

 

It's cable driven like a speedo.

 

@ sailorbill

Was this what the back of your rev counter was like?

 

Starryboy - certainly looks familiar.

The bullet connection should be for the -ve coil feed. Spade for the earth, lighting should be obvious and that leaves the last remaining wire as the ignition switch live.

I tested mine in the engine bay with temporary connections before installing it in the dash to make sure it worked.