Re-setting oval speedometer

S

SteveR.

Member
I have a '30 Tudor with an oval speedometer, can I easily re-set the odometer to 0 miles? I want to do this simply because the number on the odometer number is meaningless after 90 years....I was going to set it to zero to record miles on the new engine I just installed.

Unfortunately I know nothing of past owners, restorations, or almost anything else about the car. It has thick lacquer paint, crazed/cracked on the hood but otherwise looks pretty reasonable. I'm guessing it might be a 40 year old restoration. Point being the number on the odometer is useless to me. I'm working on making it a reliable driver, but keeping it's current "aged" look.
 
You have to disassemble the speedometer to do it. If you don't know your way around them, I would recommend contacting Mark at Mark's Speedometers in Polson, MT He will clean and lube it too. Mine stuck on 9999 and would go no further. He did a great job and the turn around was quick.
 
Just a note which I guess you know already never reset the trip on the move or you will damage the speedo .

John in Suffolk County England .
 
I have heard several times on more than one forum (never reset the trip on the move) I opened up a speedometer to take a look and I cannot see anything that would cause damage or any other issues from setting the trip on the move. Where did this theory come from? Am I missing something?
 

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To reset the odometer requires it to be taken out of the frame, pressed apart, the wheels rotated into position while keeping everything in time. Gently press back together without chipping any of the fragile paint. While you are at it, clean out the old grease and add fresh lube.

I don't know why Ford did not want you to reset the trip on the fly, I can see no reason other than taking the driver's eyes off the road.
 
It would be best to have a shop rebuild or service it. Thing are very slow right now and I can get it back in the mail the next day. ALWAYS WERE TO HELP YOU OUT. papanick/
 
From the Model A instruction manual:

Resetting the Trip Odometer
To reset the trip odometer simply pull out the knob on the
speedometer. By turning the knob you can reset the figures at
any tenth of a mile desired, or back to zero. After resetting the
odometer be sure to push the knob back to its original position.

I doesn't specify as to whether the car is moving or not.
 
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