Ford Mk 2 Parts Microfiche Scans including RS2/Mex

[Glenn Wallace]

I bought a Mk 2 parts catalog PDF off a vendor on eBay for 20 quid, and it was the 1975 version that only includes the Sport, not the RS2000 or Mexico.

I do have a Mk 2 "quick reference parts guide", which is illustrations only, and again, no RS stuff. (I also have a Mk 1 printed AVO parts catalog, that's another story)

For about 30 years I have hung onto some fiche that were sent to me by someone at Ford Rallye Sport, and they are for the Mk 2 Escort inclusive of all the H75AB factory parts, as well as an OHV/OHC engine fiche which includes the RS2000 engine bits.

Before I go to the (enormous) effort to scan and clean these up -- is this something people generally already have access to?

Sample: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1B6c...ew?usp=sharing

[katana]

The people that have them, covet them, and don't seem to want them in the public domain for whatever reasons they may have - odd pages appear now and again in response to queries but generally they are like most things classic Ford - Rare and Unavailable! I'm sure a complete set including the RS info would be well received - it'll be a huge size for a download so unlikely to be hosted here!

[Glenn Wallace]

The people that have them, covet them, and don't seem to want them in the public domain for whatever reasons they may have - odd pages appear now and again in response to queries but generally they are like most things classic Ford - Rare and Unavailable! I'm sure a complete set including the RS info would be well received - it'll be a huge size for a download so unlikely to be hosted here!

OK, thanks -- they had always been the holy grail for me, wasn't sure if that had changed. I had an Australian set of fiche but they are long gone, and a lot less interesting.

I haven't really thought through hosting or distribution -- I also have a concern that people will sell them on fleabay for 20 quid after I go to the effort, so I'd like to look at a watermark scheme for access or something.

I'm scanning them using a camera and it is a bit of a production to get each frame right. The interesting thing is the process is pulling out just a little bit more detail than you'd see on a fiche reader/scanner, for example the coil springs are outlined rather than just looking like a solid blob. I also bought a bunch of equipment to do this so may ask for help defraying the costs from people who find it useful. (I should have asked this question before I started really!)

I have no idea how long this will take but will post here once I have something of use.

[Ridgey]

I’d really appreciate this type of info for personal use.
****es me off totally all the profiteering that goes on, those aren’t the real enthusiasts.

[Glenn Wallace]

Spent some more time improving the quality today, here's a new sample which I think is more up to standard. This is probably as good as we will get.

Sorry it wasn't a page with RS stuff, I was just shooting at random, and again sorry about the orientation.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rRTYURsQ0RDFr6YiIud20d1eG4SUmsa8/view?usp=sharing

[katana]

Comparing the two, the first appears a bit sharper but it may be down to the detail contained - more / smaller items end up blobby! And watermark everything - NOT FOR RESALE - why not, because if you don't, there will be copies sold on ebay etc.!

[Glenn Wallace]

Just a minor update. I have 113 pages scanned and processed.... roughly 1/7 of the way there. Quality is looking even slightly better than the last sample.

So the process seems to be working, it is just tedious.

Changing gears slightly -- the AVO/RS Parts Catalog for Mk 1 RS1600/RS2000/Mexico, which I have in printed form, how rare is that? It is abut 3" thick. These are the OEM parts, not the RS upgrade catalog.

[biz]

the AVO/RS Parts Catalog for Mk 1 RS1600/RS2000/Mexico, which I have in printed form, how rare is that? It is abut 3" thick. These are the OEM parts, not the RS upgrade catalog.

I have it too, though not original - I borrowed it from the RS parts man at my local RS Dealers and photocopied it, before returning,

[Glenn Wallace]

Comparing the two, the first appears a bit sharper but it may be down to the detail contained - more / smaller items end up blobby! And watermark everything - NOT FOR RESALE - why not, because if you don't, there will be copies sold on ebay etc.!

One thing I changed in the process after those two is treating the diagrams differently than the text, to try to bring out more detail in the diagrams, without destroying the readability of the text. Very tedious....!

[Glenn Wallace]

Update: scanned about half the Escort 75 fiche.

Big news is that I have a "Quick Reference Catalog" which is printed (A5 size I think) that does not have any part numbers in it, and basically serves as a printed index to the fiche or full parts book. I had thought it was early enough it also didn't include the RS2000 and Mexico but discovered it does indeed cover everything, having been printed in 1980.

This means that I could scan it, and replace all the line drawings in the fiche with them. These drawings are absolutely the highest quality I've ever seen for the Mk 2.

The main trick will be to scan it or shoot it on the copy stand in a way that doesn't destroy the spine -- the cover is in rough shape.


I'm still thinking about how to distribute the catalog. I want everyone who needs to use it to be able to access it for free, but also block the scammers that might sell it online.

There are four options I can see so far:
1) a very heavily watermarked PDF (may even be personally watermarked with your mobile and email)

2) some kind of online viewer/website - that limits access, ie you can't do screen caps/prints of every page if you tried (it would probably also have a watermark but maybe less severe). I'd only do this if I can find a way to do it that gives people free access.

3) an un-watermarked PDF, and we work to make it so readily available no Mk 2 owner would ever need to buy it. (or even put it on eBay for 1p)

4) a printed bound book - that at least would make it harder for scammers to copy (lots of work to scan) - would have to find a way to recover costs.

Interested if any of you have any thoughts on these options.

[Miniliteman]

http://drewh.free.fr/Pages/CarWorld/Microfilm/Frames%20and%20Navigation/RS_Micro_Frame.htm

(made by dasadrew maybe he doesn't remember he put it online ...)

[Glenn Wallace]

http://drewh.free.fr/Pages/CarWorld/...icro_Frame.htm

(made by dasadrew maybe he doesn't remember he put it online ...)

Nice, thanks!

The resolution is a lot lower than I am scanning the fiche at though, I might mock a page up with one of these to see how it would look.

[katana]

I'm still thinking about how to distribute the catalog. I want everyone who needs to use it to be able to access it for free, but also block the scammers that might sell it online.

There are four options I can see so far:
1) a very heavily watermarked PDF (may even be personally watermarked with your mobile and email)

2) some kind of online viewer/website - that limits access, ie you can't do screen caps/prints of every page if you tried (it would probably also have a watermark but maybe less severe). I'd only do this if I can find a way to do it that gives people free access.

3) an un-watermarked PDF, and we work to make it so readily available no Mk 2 owner would ever need to buy it. (or even put it on eBay for 1p)

4) a printed bound book - that at least would make it harder for scammers to copy (lots of work to scan) - would have to find a way to recover costs.

Interested if any of you have any thoughts on these options.

Again I think your intentions are admirable and in answer to above query -
1. Likely the best to deter scammers / profiteers!
2. Free access is open to profiteers and websites / hosting costs money and also people have to know about them to see them.
3. Again similar to #2 even a charge won't deter someone spending £/$10 if they could sell 3x copies for £/$5 and under cut you!
4. Pretty expensive which cuts the take up down IMO - i'd download a computer file but wouldn't buy a book as its a resource I wouldn't refer to often enough to warrant the cost - sorry to be honest! And again if a hard copy is available what is to stop the profiteers scanning and releasing a CD / DVD for a few £/$'s?

[dasadrew]

http://drewh.free.fr/Pages/CarWorld/...icro_Frame.htm

(made by dasadrew maybe he doesn't remember he put it online ...)

I really must pick that up again. The web designer software which I had reached its end-of-life and I simply haven't had the time to get into the new software I bought and importing all the old pics.


I've been over on the dark side more in the last few years restoring a Stag, but the old RS (Jaffa) is still going!


Drew

[dasadrew]

This is where I got so far before the new software got me stumped!


Click on the "A Body" pic.

http://www.rsmk2.com/microfiche0.html