Re: 1949 Super 8 speedometer

Posted by James Kallman On 2013/5/12 22:24:26

Hopefully, I've installed the speedometer for the last time. The first time I removed the speedometer, I decided to remove the instrument panel first. Yes, the wires were stiff - but carefully pulling the cables out only enough to disconnect the leads seemed to work. With the whole instrument panel out it was easy to remove the speedometer and other gauges. I had them all service, including the clock. Having the instrument panel out gave the opportunity to clean up the lenses and remove any rust from the back of the panel. It cleaned up beautifully.
When the instruments came back from the repair shop (Bob's Speedometer Service) the looked like new. With the instrument panel on the workbench, it was just as easy to attach the instruments as it was to remove them. All the wires were reattached and the panel screwed back into the dash (4 phillips round head screws - two at the top sides; two at the bottom).
Unfortunately, while the odometer worked - the speedometer didn't. All the other gauges were fine. So, I removed the speedometer only from the instrument panel. And back to Bob's it went. When it came back, I had a dickens of a time trying to get the speedometer back in. Just couldn't manipulate the flashlights, mirrors, and screwdrivers. So, I lowered the steering column, took out the four screws holding the instrument panel to the dash, and gently pulled the instrument panel out about three inches. Now I could see where the screws were supposed to go. Using the old screw taped on the screwdriver trick, I was able to get the speedometer attached. Then the four instrument panel screws went back in.
The moment of truth. I reconnected the battery and took a short test run. Whew! It all worked. As I said, hopefully this will be the last time to take out the speedometer. Have pictures and more details if anyone wants them. James