Hi Gang, thought I would share pics of the boost gauge install. My Gas W126 Cluster arrived today, and the needles were sun faded.

I decided to take the cluster apart, clean the dimmer rheostat out, soak the brass in Vinegar to clean, and JB Weld the Spring to the ceramic housing.

Next, I removed the Economy needle,(used a fork and pulled straight up) positioned it at 10 o clock and pushed back down, and move the needle over the pin.

Next is the paint. I used International Orange last time, and to me it was too red. This time I got some yellow, "Insignia Yellow", and mixed it, 50/50 in a styrofoam bowl and used a fine needle to paint.

When the weather clears up over here, I'll be pulling the cluster out of the SDL, repainting the other needles and installing the economy/boost gauge.

Here's the pic. As you can see, its not as bright red if the Int'l Orange was used alone. This is my cell phone camera, so the resolution kinda sucks, but the needles are a shade lighter than shown here. I'll try to dig out the good camera this week.

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91 350SD
14 F150 Eco
19 Fusion Hybrid
11 GT500

So the economy gauge is now functioning as a boost gauge? Did you just paint the needles or everything?

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-justin

1987 300TD, 1987 300TD
2008 R32, 2000 Passat Wagon

Testors makes a yellow paint that is almost an exact match of the original color. You can get it at any hobby store.

Scott

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Scott
1982 Mercedes 240D, 4 speed, 275,000
1988 Porsche 944 Turbo S (70,000)
1987 Porsche 911 Coupe 109,000 (sold)
1998 Mercedes E300 TurboDiesel 147,000 (sold)
1985 Mercedes 300D 227,000 (totaled by inattentive driver with no insurance!)
1997 Mercedes E300 Diesel 236,000 (sold)
1995 Ducati 900SS (sold)
1987 VW Jetta GLI 157,000 (sold)
1986 Camaro 125,000 (sold - P.O.S.)
1977 Corvette L82 125,000 (sold)
1965 Pontiac GTO 15,000 restored (sold)

Its going to be functioning as a boost gauge.

I painted the needles on this section, and when I have time (tomorrow orthis weekend) I'll be pulling my SDL cluster and repainting the rest of the needles on the cluster and installing the boost tubing. I'll post pics as I go!

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91 350SD
14 F150 Eco
19 Fusion Hybrid
11 GT500

I used fluorescent red paint on my needles.

I used International orange last time, and it was too red for me. I have night time color blindness, so the red is harder to see at night.

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91 350SD
14 F150 Eco
19 Fusion Hybrid
11 GT500

That's brilliant. After going through all that trouble, you're going to remove the "Economy" and change it to "Boost" right?

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-justin

1987 300TD, 1987 300TD
2008 R32, 2000 Passat Wagon

Got any idea how to do that?

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91 350SD
14 F150 Eco
19 Fusion Hybrid
11 GT500

Not in any way that would turn out anywhere close to original looking.

I think it would involve working in Photoshop to find a decent match in terms of font family and size, then printing out the Boost text on paper suitable for stenciling the text on the gauge face. Alternative to stencil, you could print the Boost text to a transparency and have a silkscreen made.

Both ways would be a royal PITA and you'd likely be unsatisfied with the results.

-OR-

You could just have new cluster faces made (digitize the originals) in Photoshop that look as close to original as possible, but are actually just printed on high quality paper with high quality ink and glued onto your faces. There was that guy a few weeks ago that was selling pseudo-faces for $5 that were just Photoshop files, so it's certainly possible.

Higher boost is inversely related to economy right? Just stick with it.

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-justin

1987 300TD, 1987 300TD
2008 R32, 2000 Passat Wagon

I used an orange sharpie - much cleaner than a brush. Get the fine and regular one.

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'85 300D Cal 280,000 miles
'14 GLK 350 60000 miles

I used Krylon Glow Yellow (SCB-024) and Glow Orange (SCB-022) mixed together to match the original color. I had a NOS gauge that I used as a sample. This paint also matched the original flat finish. Available at Walmart in small bottles. I went overboard and air brushed it on but a quality brush would probably be as good. My needles stuck sometimes to the stop pins for a couple of weeks but then no problems. Still looks like new after 6 years.

Same thing happened to my speedo. I would have to tap the dash to get it loose every time. After almost a month it suddenly stopped doing it.

I have been thinking of getting a gasser Instrument cluster, and using the "Economy Gage" as a Vacuum Gage.

I don't think it will work very well as a boost gage, because it is designed to operate under vacuum, not pressure......I assume that it has a typical Bourdon tube movement.....if using a Vacuum Gage as a pressure gage, you may find that it will gradually distort the Bourdon tube, and render your gage inaccurate at best.......

Nice job on the needles tho.....

SB

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Diesels:
'85 300D, "Max, Blue Benz", 155K, 27.0 MPG
'84 190D 2.2, "Eva, Brown Benz", 142K, 40.2 MPG
'77 240D (parts car)
'67 Eicher ES 202 Tractor "Otto" (2cyl, Air Cooled, 30HP)
Gassers:
'94 Ford F-150, "Henry", 170K (300 Six) 17.5 MPG
'85 190E 2.3, 148K....Parts Car
'58 Dodge W300M Powerwagon (Flat Fenders) Less than 10 MPG

Good thing there are no numbers on it.

An update. Apparently if you have a Gen 2 w126, a Gauge from a 1981 will not work, and it doesn't have a light for low washer fluid either. Theres also a part of a board missing on the left side dials.

I bought one from a 1987 560SEL tonight I'll install it and report back when I get her in!

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91 350SD
14 F150 Eco
19 Fusion Hybrid
11 GT500