Oval Speedometer/Odometer Question

P

PRG999

Member
I have an oval speedometer. The speedometer works fine but the odometer does not. Any suggestions as to where to start to fix this?
Thanks
 
PRG999 - It is very likely that a gear on the speedometer is not meshing. It could be one of several that ultimately drive the odometer. Also, the reset knob that allows you to reset the trip odometer to "zero" could be the problem too.

I am going to send you a "Word" document that illustrates how to rebuild an oval speedometer. I used it to rebuild mind, and it has worked perfectly ever sense.

Let me know you received it.
 
Ron/IA, you don't by any any chance have one for a round speedometer do you? I have the same problem in my 31 Coupe. Actually, I could use both.
 
Last edited:
Ron/IA said:
PRG999 - It is very likely that a gear on the speedometer is not meshing. It could be one of several that ultimately drive the odometer. Also, the reset knob that allows you to reset the trip odometer to "zero" could be the problem too.

I am going to send you a "Word" document that illustrates how to rebuild an oval speedometer. I used it to rebuild mind, and it has worked perfectly ever sense.

Let me know you received it.
Click to expand...

If it's not "top secret", maybe you could post it here on the Barn so other can learn too ;).
 
I'm no expert, but had the same problem. Something in the odometer wheels jammed, causing the copper colored gear to spin on its shaft. I freed up the wheels and used a drill motor to run them for quite awhile, and they seemed fine. I put some J B Weld on the gear and the shaft, and it's worked fine for the past 500 miles.

UPDATE: After a few hundred more miles, the J B Weld failed. The copper gear is back to spinning on the shaft. Thought about solder, but now the speedometer isn't working either. I'm giving up, and going to send it off for a rebuild.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_1164.jpg
    IMG_1164.jpg
    32.4 KB · Views: 81
Last edited:
Vin-Tin - Its not top secret, but the info is in a Word document that I have not been successful putting here.

I originally downloaded it from a chapter's web site in Oregon (I think). I would be happy to send it to you by email. PM me you email address.

Thanks,
Ron/IA

PS. the document talks about the oval speedometer. I have not seen on for the round speedometer.
 
I would love a copy of the word document if you have it available. I'm about to tackle this project next for my car. I would love to get it reset to zero (stuck at 99,999) and record my history with the car :)
 
30FordA50 said:
I would love a copy of the word document if you have it available. I'm about to tackle this project next for my car. I would love to get it reset to zero (stuck at 99,999) and record my history with the car :)
Click to expand...

This could turn into the same legal debate that stamping the frame number turned into.:eek:

In the 70's when I worked at the GM dealership, it was legal to turn the odometer to zero on used cars, but not legal to lower the mileage by any other amount. The boss had me set some to zero, but after working there for about a year the law was changed and any tampering with the odometer became illegal.

In the 80's a customer with a year old car with about 40,000 miles wanted a new speedometer installed, even though his worked perfectly. I knew what he was up to, so I set the new speedometer assembly to the same mileage shown on his old unit. The customer was really pissed because he wanted to drive the car for a few thousand miles and sell it as a low mileage car. He was a friend of the boss, so he complained and the boss had me set it back to zero.
 
Ron/IA - Its not top secret, but the info is in a Word document that I have not been successful putting here.

Ron, newer versions of Word will allow you to save documents as a PDF or send it to me and I will convert it for you.
 
Go to Bob Johnsonss Model A House and click on technical, then to speedometer articles on how to disassemble & repair speedos. Sounds like the rollover tang on the odometer tenths wheel has broken off because of dried, hard grease.
 
Tom Wesenberg said:
This could turn into the same legal debate that stamping the frame number turned into.:eek:

In the 70's when I worked at the GM dealership, it was legal to turn the odometer to zero on used cars, but not legal to lower the mileage by any other amount. The boss had me set some to zero, but after working there for about a year the law was changed and any tampering with the odometer became illegal.

In the 80's a customer with a year old car with about 40,000 miles wanted a new speedometer installed, even though his worked perfectly. I knew what he was up to, so I set the new speedometer assembly to the same mileage shown on his old unit. The customer was really pissed because he wanted to drive the car for a few thousand miles and sell it as a low mileage car. He was a friend of the boss, so he complained and the boss had me set it back to zero.
Click to expand...

Don't believe there is an issue with 25+ year old cars. No one expects the mileage to be accurate.
 
That is a great write-up and a great thing to have. The main shaft binds up and you have to remove it to clean it up and lube it. Tough job and you can really screw things up. Do it as a last resort. Take it all apart before you try to push the shaft off of that beveled gear and out of the body. You will have to push that gear back on and that is not easy. Good luck.
 
Ron/ia. I know this is an old post but if there is any chance you still have the doc could you please pm it to me
 
crumbaa said:
Ron/ia. I know this is an old post but if there is any chance you still have the doc could you please pm it to me
Click to expand...

Have you looked at this link, it was in post #14 of this thread, it may be what you are looking for.


Here is the link to the Beaver Chapter and Gordon Fishers handout for Model a Ford Speedometers.

Handouts courtesy of THE BEAVER CHAPTER, MAFCA Portland, Oregon.
Article and Sketches by Gordon Fischer. Copyright 6-12-94

http://www.modelahouse.com/tech/speedometer/fischer.html
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top