Speedo swap

RCM

RCM

Senior Member
OK guys, Mr. Ronald Hoult (raceron) did it again.
After sending me a headlight bevel for shipment only after my accident, he did the same thing for a speedo that I need. Mine is busted, making all sort of cluncking noises and with the indicator needle hanging loose, so he generously threw in one. I'm currently running with the cable disconected.
I'd "like" my own thread post several times, but I'm not allowed to.
I will soon be able to install a mile reading speedo which is something that i'm pleased about very much, so, again, thank you Ron. I'm in debt.
I know I'm gonna run into trouble with the swap, I can imagine so given the tight space behind the dash. Could someone make it easy for me and point out how it is done?
Thank you and thanks Ron.
Regards
 
OK Dave, thanks. I looked at it yesterday when I got home. Looks easy enough but it wont be, can sense that somehow...
Regards
 
On a 55; unhook the speedo cable, unhook the lights and mark them with masking tape to get them back right. With the stuff out of the way, you may see two 3/8 nuts holding on like colored holders. Remove one and loosen the other. There are two more down where you can feel them but you may not see them. Get those off, then finish the one holding in the head and it will lift or fall out the top.
 
Ole Don, thanks for helping.
Mine is a 56 and dashes are different. The speedo is quite different. Your's is a larger and half a circle like unit. Mine is round and about 4 inches in diam. center piece.
Dont know if removing it will follow the same procedure.
I appreciate your input anyway and will follow the tip on marking light bulbs.
Regards
 
RCM, working on the line at Ford for thirty years, I found very small changes year to year unless it was a major makeover. I would think the hardware involved between 55 and 56 will be the same or similar. Take a magnetic light, 1/4 drive and deep sockets if you have them, get in a very uncomfortable place, and keep at it untill done. You don't want to have to assume that position twice in one day.
 
Regardless whether you remove the entire cluster or just remove the speedo from the back of the cluster, someone is going to be sticking their head up in there. I've done it often enough, but I have always been a thin, wirey fellow. I suggest disconnecting battery prior to beginning so that your back doesn't activate the stoplights when you rest against the pedal.
To remove the speedo from the back of the cluster, first unscrew the speedo cable and pull it out. Then remove the two bottom screws that hold the wiring hooks and gently pull the wire harness down out of the way. After removing the remaining screws that hold the speedo to the cluster, turn the speedo unit about a quarter turn clockwise and gently pull it out.
To re-install, reverse the process. This would also be a good time to re-grease your speedo cable core since you have it disconnected anyway.
 
Guys, sorry for my lack of response which might have sounded a bit rude on my behalf. I've been on a short vacation and away from the computer, only getting at it at time mainly to respond to e-mails and such.
Objectively the task was really easy. Clear the area pushing aside loose / misplaced wiring. Disconnect speedo cable, remove three lamps. Remove four little bolts and the metal housing holding the speedo is free. At the bench remove another two bolts, swap the speedo head and reassemble in the inverse order. Take the chance to lube the inners of the speedo head, being cautious about that little thin rod holding the gauges needle and its fragile spring.
The problem, as mentioned, is acessing the area and the position you have to keep your body in, which makes screwing in those small four bolts especially hard.

Damn... I just noticed I just wrote about everything Dave wrote...but not the whole thing.
That tip about a quarter turn clockwise is precious Dave. I found it out the hard way and got myself thinking "I cant believe it... the whole cluster has to be removed"... "No. it cant be" (while sweating and gathering will not to drop everything and take a break)...
I took it out with a slight turn alright, and it made me happy.
Thanks for helping, I appreciate it.
 
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