10 replies to this topic

[Tamworthbay]

Got a 1275 GT (pretty sure that's what it is, 120mph speedo and right colours) set of clocks. I went to attach to my 83 city, but I have two wires, a bullet connector and spade, both female. There is only one pin on the back of the rev counter (for a bullet). I have searched on here and found pics of other ones with a bullet and spade type on the back. I plan to switch the clocks over but keep the rev counter as mine is a genuine 13000 mile car and don't want to lose original clocks. My question is, 1 am I right about the wires? 2, is there a way to wire the rev counter up to my system? 3, has anyone run one with an accuspark dizzy? Any suggestions gratefully received.

[dklawson]

Look carefully at the gauge face for the letters RVI or RVC. The RVI is the earlier type and it is probably what your GT had. It is not compatible with electronic ignitions. Gauges marked RVC are the later type, are compatible with electronic ignitions, and connect like a "modern" tach.

I did not follow your descriptions of what connectors are on the tach. An RVI type tach will have a male spade (insulated from the case) for 12V power in, Depending on the type it MAY have a second spade directly on the case for an earth wire. Some use the mounting fasteners for the earth connection. Early RVI tachs have a loop of white wire on their backs. The looped wire will have one end terminated with a male bullet, the other end terminated by a "female" bullet. Later RVI tachs have the loop of wire on the inside and the two bullets exit the case.

A later RVC tach will have a single bullet on the back of its case along with a single spade for 12V power. Earth connections are similar to the earlier RVI.

Post back about what you find on the gauge face and whether you plan on using this with a points or electronic ignition and we will walk you through how to wire these up for use with your engine.

[Tamworthbay]

Front and back pics:

 image.jpg   65.19K   29 downloads  image.jpg   61.81K   25 downloads

To add to the confusion, my existing clocks are Nippon seiki. I thought an 83 should have smiths?

[Tamworthbay]

Look carefully at the gauge face for the letters RVI or RVC. The RVI is the earlier type and it is probably what your GT had. It is not compatible with electronic ignitions. Gauges marked RVC are the later type, are compatible with electronic ignitions, and connect like a "modern" tach.

I did not follow your descriptions of what connectors are on the tach. An RVI type tach will have a male spade (insulated from the case) for 12V power in, Depending on the type it MAY have a second spade directly on the case for an earth wire. Some use the mounting fasteners for the earth connection. Early RVI tachs have a loop of white wire on their backs. The looped wire will have one end terminated with a male bullet, the other end terminated by a "female" bullet. Later RVI tachs have the loop of wire on the inside and the two bullets exit the case.

A later RVC tach will have a single bullet on the back of its case along with a single spade for 12V power. Earth connections are similar to the earlier RVI.

Post back about what you find on the gauge face and whether you plan on using this with a points or electronic ignition and we will walk you through how to wire these up for use with your engine.

Are the pics above any use for IDing the clocks?

[dklawson]

Sorry for not posting sooner. I was in the garage most of the afternoon.

I'm sorry but the pictures are too grainy for me to tell much from them. If you want to try again, please see if you can get close up pictures of the tachometer front and back only without the other gauges.

Did you find RVI or RVC printed on the tach face anywhere?

[Tamworthbay]

Sorry for not posting sooner. I was in the garage most of the afternoon.

I'm sorry but the pictures are too grainy for me to tell much from them. If you want to try again, please see if you can get close up pictures of the tachometer front and back only without the other gauges.

Did you find RVI or RVC printed on the tach face anywhere?

Sorry about the pics, the ipad camera isn't the best. Hopefully the ones below are a bit better. The tacho has RVI on the front so is the earlier type it seems. Looks like I need to keep looking for a set!

 CIMG6723.JPG   62.7K   37 downloads  CIMG6724.JPG   86.95K   24 downloads

[dklawson]

Thanks, those pictures are much clearer. The picture of the gauge back side confirms what you found on the face, this is an RVI tach. You can clearly see one male and one female bullet right next to each other on the insulator plate. You also have the male spade lug on the insulator plate. The earth connection is likely to be through the mounting hardware or somehow achieved with the flex circuit and illumination lamp connection. Others will know for sure.

If you have electronic ignition I would not plan on using this tach. If your distributor uses points and you want to use this gauge let me know and I'll elaborate on the wiring needed to fit this tach.

[Tamworthbay]

Thanks, those pictures are much clearer. The picture of the gauge back side confirms what you found on the face, this is an RVI tach. You can clearly see one male and one female bullet right next to each other on the insulator plate. You also have the male spade lug on the insulator plate. The earth connection is likely to be through the mounting hardware or somehow achieved with the flex circuit and illumination lamp connection. Others will know for sure.

If you have electronic ignition I would not plan on using this tach. If your distributor uses points and you want to use this gauge let me know and I'll elaborate on the wiring needed to fit this tach.

Thanks for the info. Looks like I will be on the lookout for an RVC type.

[Tamworthbay]

Look carefully at the gauge face for the letters RVI or RVC. The RVI is the earlier type and it is probably what your GT had. It is not compatible with electronic ignitions. Gauges marked RVC are the later type, are compatible with electronic ignitions, and connect like a "modern" tach.

I did not follow your descriptions of what connectors are on the tach. An RVI type tach will have a male spade (insulated from the case) for 12V power in, Depending on the type it MAY have a second spade directly on the case for an earth wire. Some use the mounting fasteners for the earth connection. Early RVI tachs have a loop of white wire on their backs. The looped wire will have one end terminated with a male bullet, the other end terminated by a "female" bullet. Later RVI tachs have the loop of wire on the inside and the two bullets exit the case.

A later RVC tach will have a single bullet on the back of its case along with a single spade for 12V power. Earth connections are similar to the earlier RVI.

Post back about what you find on the gauge face and whether you plan on using this with a points or electronic ignition and we will walk you through how to wire these up for use with your engine.

Looking at another set of clocks, I have been sent a pic of the back and put it on here:

http://www.theminiforum.co.uk/forums/topic/242941-what-rev-counter-is-this-rvi-or-rvc/

Does that show which type it is to you?

[dklawson]

I posted to the other thread but will duplicate the response here...
The picture in the other thread shows what you want, an RVC type tach. The single bullet and a single spade on the insulator plate identify this as an RVC type. You supply 12V power in on the male spade and you run a wire from the bullet to coil (-) (the coil terminal with the wire going off to the distributor). The earth connection should be through that rusty looking screw going through the flexible circuit.

[Tamworthbay]

I posted to the other thread but will duplicate the response here...
The picture in the other thread shows what you want, an RVC type tach. The single bullet and a single spade on the insulator plate identify this as an RVC type. You supply 12V power in on the male spade and you run a wire from the bullet to coil (-) (the coil terminal with the wire going off to the distributor). The earth connection should be through that rusty looking screw going through the flexible circuit.

Cheers Doug, should be with me by Monday so hopefully sorted now. Just need to sell on the Gt clocks now!