I should be able to post some basic dimensions of the engine cover, I just haven't been on my other computer lately to take a look.Originally Posted by "What The Flux?"
Location: Stevens Point,WI
Posts: 2,470
My VIN: 6125
I should be able to post some basic dimensions of the engine cover, I just haven't been on my other computer lately to take a look.
Posts: 27
Thanks Mark, I am grateful
Location: Jamul, CA
Posts: 1,499
My VIN: 07000
Hi Mark, I know in the actual car, the TDC was static with backlit gels. Do you know off- hand what the font was and size that they used?
Location: Happy Valley, OR
Posts: 1,709
My VIN: 4456 - Owner since March 2011
Club(s): (PNDC)
I'd just like to take this opportunity to say...
This is my absolute favorite thread to see updates on!
Cheers
Steve
Cheers
Steven Maguire
#4456
IT'S A TRAP!!!!!
Posts: 25
Agreed!
Mark, could you confirm the size of the various button cap screws on the rear vents?
Location: Stevens Point,WI
Posts: 2,470
My VIN: 6125
Only the 3 digit display for the "month" on the C car were back lit gels, the other digits were 7 segment LED displays that could be programmed to any number using a special effects box off camera. The height of each alpha character for the gels was sized to match the numeric LED displays which have a character height of .60" tall. It's not a common size and the LED's are no longer in production. If you're shopping for LED's you can find some that are close, but be sure you're ordering to get the size of the character as close as possible to .60. Often times they are listed by the overall height of the case/digit height and not the character height. There are generally two types of 'font', those that have rounded corners and those that have pointed corners on the individual segments of the digits. For screen accurate characters the tips of the segments should all be pointed.
Not sure if I mentioned this in this thread yet but the A, B, and C cars all started out with 2 digit numeric month displays. The C car was used for all the close up shots of the time circuit display and it was modified to have a 3 digit alpha display for the months so it would be much easier to read on screen. The A and B cars retained their numeric 2 digit month displays throughout the trilogy and there are only a few brief moments where you can see them on screen in non-close up shots. Here's a photo from sometime in the late 80's showing the A car's TCD.
You can also see on the original A car displays the round 3mm LED's for AM/PM and the colon for the time are color matched to the displays (Amber, Green, Yellow) whereas on the modified C car display they were all yellow.
Last edited by Mark D; 03-30-2017 at 11:14 PM.
Location: Stevens Point,WI
Posts: 2,470
My VIN: 6125
The seven hex button head cap screws that are lined up in a row on each side of the belt separator are #10 (can be 24 or 32 threads per inch, the head size is the same for both) McMasterCarr sells these in black oxide stainless which looks accurate but will not rust like the black oxide mild steel button head cap screws used on the screen used cars.Agreed!
Mark, could you confirm the size of the various button cap screws on the rear vents?
https://www.mcmaster.com/#screws/=16zjxc6
The three other "oops" screw holes shown that were used to mount the plastic CO2 vent horn inside the vent are two different sizes of screw. They are phillips head, and the one small one you see is #8 and the two large ones are #10. These are round head sheet metal screws.
https://www.mcmaster.com/#tapping-screws/=16zjwx5
I can't remember off the top of my head the phillips head screw sizes for the other three oops holes on the other vent. I think those were all the same size. If you've got a high res photo of the other side you can compare to the button head cap screws nearby to determine if they are #8 or #10.
Location: Northern Virginia, near Washington DC.
Posts: 214
My VIN: 5470
It's amazing that even way back in 1985, Doc Brown had the foresight to use a 4 digit year and avoid the Y2K threat. If only the rest of us paid attention.
....Agreed with mluder - I have never considered building a BTTF car, but this thread is one of my favorites to read. The attention to detail and wealth of information shared is truly impressive.
Location: Jamul, CA
Posts: 1,499
My VIN: 07000
Good to know. Thanks for the great information, Mark!Only the 3 digit display for the "month" on the C car were back lit gels, the other digits were 7 segment LED displays that could be programmed to any number using a special effects box off camera. The height of each alpha character for the gels was sized to match the numeric LED displays which have a character height of .60" tall. It's not a common size and the LED's are no longer in production. If you're shopping for LED's you can find some that are close, but be sure you're ordering to get the size of the character as close as possible to .60. Often times they are listed by the overall height of the case/digit height and not the character height. There are generally two types of 'font', those that have rounded corners and those that have pointed corners on the individual segments of the digits. For screen accurate characters the tips of the segments should all be pointed.
Not sure if I mentioned this in this thread yet but the A, B, and C cars all started out with 2 digit numeric month displays. The C car was used for all the close up shots of the time circuit display and it was modified to have a 3 digit alpha display for the months so it would be much easier to read on screen. The A and B cars retained their numeric 2 digit month displays throughout the trilogy and there are only a few brief moments where you can see them on screen in non-close up shots. Here's a photo from sometime in the late 80's showing the A car's TCD.
You can also see on the original A car displays the round 3mm LED's for AM/PM and the colon for the time are color matched to the displays (Amber, Green, Yellow) whereas on the modified C car display they were all yellow.
Posts: 27
I completely agree with the other followers here. This thread specifically is one of my absolute favorites and I check in on a daily basis in the hope of learning something new and interesting from Mark. I think we can all agree that Mark's contribution to the community in sharing his experience of a very privileged opportunity during the restoration is as generous as it is awesome!
I know we ask you a lot of questions Mark, but please know that we are all grateful for your fantastically detailed answers.
Additional note: I didn't even notice that one of those three Philips screws was smaller than the other two??! Awesome attention to detail!
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