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Topic: Repair/Replace Speedometer

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Repair/Replace Speedometer (1/9)
1/23/07 2:44pm

manget1

Lifetime Member
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Indianapolis, IN - USA

Vette(s):
Silver 1974 Convertible - L82 4 speed Low miles (was only 8,900 when I bought it in March 2006) - Now 54K miles. Original owner bought it as an investment for son's college expenses. 2008 Jetstream Blue Convertible

Joined: 9/3/2006
Posts: 2428

It looks like I need to repair or replace my speedometer Cry

. It looks like purchasing a new one from the catalogs (Corvette America, Year One, etc) wouldn't cost more than $10 or so more than sending mine in to get rebuilt, and I don't have to wait 3-6 weeks to get it back.

I had considered buying a used one on e-bay and sending that in for repair (I'd hate to put it in and have it go bad as well!). However, the one I'm watching is quickly going up in price.

Bottom line - does anyone have suggestions on:

1. Whether to repair or replace

2. What to replace at the same time

3. Difficulty level of the job

I was figuring that I should at least replace the speedometer cable at the same time, but didn't know if there were other components that made sense "while I'm there." Since my clock doesn't work, I've also considered digging into replacing that. Will having the dash torn apart for the speedo make that easier? I know if I can, I need to replace any dash bulbs I come across.

Lastly, I don't have an assembly manual yet, but am working on getting one (I'll have one before I do this project). Will that be sufficient in giving me an idea of what I need to take apart to get the speedo out and replaced? I'm not the most mechanically inclined, but I years ago, I did replace my tach and speedo on my '76 Grand Prix, but that dash came out much easier than I think the 74's will. Please tell me I don't have to take the dash pad off!!

Thanks everyone!

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I wanted a Corvette my whole life, but I never dreamed of all the wonderful people I would meet because of it!

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Repair/Replace Speedometer (2/9)
2/8/07 3:32pm

Red Vette-76
Former Member
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MARYSVILLE, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1976 stingray, L48 COUPE, TH350 Automatic WITH A ZZ4 355 HP 350 C.I. MOTOR, 750 cfm HOLLY, EXTERIOR RED, INTERIOR BUCKSKIN, SMOKE BLACK GLASS TEE TOPS.

Joined: 10/22/2006
Posts: 129

Here's a good source for tech articles on Corvette repair proceedures that I have found useful.

http://www.corvettemagazine.com/2006/september/75-77_speedometer_tach/speedometer_tach.asp

I have just bought my 76 corvette and it has the speedo and tach both inoperable. I will soon be diving into this proceedure my self.

______________

carl

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Repair/Replace Speedometer (3/9)
2/8/07 3:46pm

Ten15
Former Member
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East Hanover, NJ - USA

Vette(s):
'68 Black Conv. Matching 327/300 4 Spd. P/S, P/B, P/W, Tele, A/C

Joined: 9/25/2004
Posts: 525

Marshall,

I just got all of my gauges back from Roger @ http://www.corvetteinstruments.com/index.html & they look great.

He does all of the restorations for Corvette Central & Ecklers. I saved a lot of money by sending him my gauges directly.

Anthony

Repair/Replace Speedometer (4/9)
2/8/07 4:31pm

Karmel77

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Clarksville, TN - USA

Vette(s):
1977 L48 T Top, Dark Blue

Joined: 10/22/2005
Posts: 266

[QUOTE=Ten15]Marshall,

I just got all of my gauges back from Roger @ http://www.corvetteinstruments.com/index.html & they look great.

He does all of the restorations for Corvette Central & Ecklers. I saved a lot of money by sending him my gauges directly.

Anthony

[/QUOTE]

Anthony,

Thanks! for this link!! Those prices are great!! I have been thinking of getting my speedo restored, the trip meter is inop, also my clock.

______________

Mel
Lifetime Member #90

Repair/Replace Speedometer (5/9)
2/9/07 3:49pm

knotacare
Limited Member
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Newark, DE - USA

Vette(s):
1968 Conv, 454HO,500HP-600TQ, TKO-600,3:70 HD rear,hotrod air, custom paint & suspension,1973 Ruby Red,T-top, 383 Stroker, TK)-500,frame off restro, 1967 Dodge Coronet, 340 stroker to 406, Dana 60

Joined: 7/26/2004
Posts: 468

[QUOTE=Ten15]Marshall,

I just got all of my gauges back from Roger @ http://www.corvetteinstruments.com/index.html & they look great.

He does all of the restorations for Corvette Central & Ecklers. I saved a lot of money by sending him my gauges directly.

Anthony

[/QUOTE

I've used Roger before also he's excellent...nice guy too.

Alan

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Repair/Replace Speedometer (6/9)
2/10/07 7:58am

78SEvette

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Holland, OH - USA

Vette(s):
1978 Silver Anniversary Edition

Joined: 11/29/2004
Posts: 217

If your looking to replace your speedo because of looks, that one thing. I fyour looking to replace because it doesn't work, that's another. Does it work? If not there r a couple of things to do to check it for operation. Ever done the drill test? Use a drill to drive the cables to see if everything functions. Chuck the drive side in the drill and turn it on. Have someone watch the indicator to see if it moves. If it moves , then that part is ok. If it doesn't you've found the probable problem. I always start at the connection under the hood and work to the tranny. Re-connect as you got till you find the problem. A couple of places to look r the connections on the dist, the connections at the cruise control and the tranny itself. Checkthe drive gear in the tranny and check the cable and housing. I went nuts trying to find my problem. Finally came down to the mount on the tranny itself. The housing had worn in an oval sshape and wouldn't allow the gear to ride right. Not easy to find if you don't know what to look for. We changed the cable housing and it has worked ever since. Hope this will help.

Jim

Repair/Replace Speedometer (7/9)
2/10/07 8:12pm

OH6A

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Cadiz, KY - USA

Vette(s):
74 Convertible

Joined: 8/26/2002
Posts: 249

I have sent more than one Corvette Speedometer to Roger's Corvette Clocks in Jackson, TN and the turn around was only days. You can Google him and bring up his Website and see all of the prices. I think he says the turn around is greater that I have had but it is based on his show schedule. Outstanding quality! Highly recommended.

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Repair/Replace Speedometer (8/9)
2/11/07 1:17pm

manget1

Thanks everyone. I'm still trying to find a replacement unit on e-bay that I can send in to get rebuilt. I will definitely look at Roger's. If all goes well, I'll also have a clock to send in as well. The idea that it can be back quickly is a definite plus!

The last time I had the car out, the odometer and trip meter worked fine, but the needle didn't show the right speed and was sticking. Experts from here have told me that the problem is in the speedometer.

For those of you that have done this, on a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being very difficult) how would you rate this project? Assuming I start with a fresh speedo and clock, can this be a one day in the garage kind of thing?

______________

I wanted a Corvette my whole life, but I never dreamed of all the wonderful people I would meet because of it!

��

target=_blank>Click for another pic!�� And yet another!

Repair/Replace Speedometer (9/9)
2/13/07 7:20am

OH6A

Lifetime Member
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Cadiz, KY - USA

Vette(s):
74 Convertible

Joined: 8/26/2002
Posts: 249

Nice looking ride; what a find.

It can be done in a day; my guess is the job is a 7. The speedo is easier than the clock. The hard part about the clock is the center console. I think you also have to take out the shift console. Be careful with the oil pressure line; I cannot remember when they changed to electric but my 73 has a real oil pressure line connected to the back of the gauge. If you have a plastic oil pressure line, I would also change this 30+ year oil line. Why not, you are there?

Good luck, have some band aids and don't get blood on that fancy ride.

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C3VR Life Member #4
NCM Life Member #994
Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association Life Member

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