Wondering about the Pros and Cons of adding a Correct Speedometer

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2012: Wondering about the Pros and Cons of adding a Correct Speedometer
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob Coiro on Friday, October 19, 2012 - 11:35 pm:

I'm not sure whether my 1915 Touring had ever been equipped with a speedometer. If it still had its original dashboard, I'd be able to tell by looking for screw-holes, but a new dash was installed just before I bought the car.



Either way would be correct as speedometers were a dealer-installed option on my model year, but the way I look at it, the more brass on a car, the better—as long as it's more or less correct. So, no brass spotlights, robe-rails or runningboard step-plates. But a correct brass speedo would not only be correct and look nice, it would serve a legitimate purpose.

So, what are the pros and cons of adding a correct speedometer?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Terry Woods, Katy, Texas on Saturday, October 20, 2012 - 12:08 am:

Might increase the value of your car, regardless of whether you intend to ever sell it or not. the cons are finding all the correct parts for the speedometer for your car, unless you already have them.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jack Daron - Brownsburg IN on Saturday, October 20, 2012 - 12:08 am:

It will add value to your car,however,will it be equal to, or (hopefully) less than what it costs to do so? I would suggest you call Russ Furstnow and ask lots of questions,before you get to deep into it.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By keith g barrier on Saturday, October 20, 2012 - 06:30 am:

I agree with Jack, my 24 has the speedo head in the dash (AC) but none of the hook up, thinking about replacing the dash with one that has'nt been altered. I just use my gps for the mileage, not worried about speeding anyway. KB


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Royce in Dallas TX on Saturday, October 20, 2012 - 07:22 am:

If your car was made in model year 1915 it was more likely to have a speedometer than not. I can't think of any negatives. I've always had a speedometer on mine.

If that is a Ford Special then all the speedometer related components are available for quite reasonable prices as reproduction parts. The Stewart versions are the hardest to read due to the drum MPH indication. You would enjoy one of the other brands more due to easier to read sweep indication.




Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron Dupree on Saturday, October 20, 2012 - 08:02 am:

I have period correct speedometers in all three of my cars.

1. They are nice to be able to track mileage to know when to fuel up (about 100 miles) or change the oil.
2. If you are on a tour, you now know when you drove 1.3 miles since the last turn, so it is about time for the next turn.
3. I actually check my speedo at times to watch my speed. Going too slow, or too fast?
4. All of the parts you are working with are old. The heads can give some problems, so can the swivels on later cars.
5. The 'Ford Special' design used a different drive than most speedometers. The drive parts are very simple, and available as new. Not sure about the cable, but Russ would know.
6. The speedometer location on a '15 (at the right side of the passengers feet, on the floor) makes it hard for the driver to see, but the only other option is an accessory speedometer mounting board at the top of the dash.

Bottom line-they can be a pain at times, but I like them, they are a neat accessory, and a lot of people want to know what that gear drive on the right front wheel is for.

Ron Dupree


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Neil Kaminar on Sunday, October 21, 2012 - 10:07 am:

Bob,

My 15 touring car came with a non functional speedometer and the wrong gear on the later demountable rim wheel. I bought reproduction parts, gears, cable, brackets, etc. from one of the suppliers. They are generally good quality parts, but I still had to do some modifications to make them perfect. I rebuilt the speedometer, which was frozen, and got the system working. Later the speedometer started acting up and I had to do some additional work on it. It now works OK but still jumps around above 40 mph for and unknown reason. It is the Ford Special with the magnetic drive and aluminum drum. The drum was touching the magnetic drive. I had to add a 0.010 shim under the jewel bearing and straighten out the drum.

I like the speedometer and use it to measure mileage. However, I use my GPS for speed as it is more accurate. Before I converted to 12 volts, I used a 6-volt to 12-volt DC to DC converter to power the GPS.

Neil


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Royce in Dallas TX on Sunday, October 21, 2012 - 10:43 am:

If you have a sweep hand speedometer it is easy to see. The Stewart Ford special with the drum MPH indication is hard to see regardless of where it is mounted.

The outer three speedos here are Ford Specials l-r Sears Cross, Standard and Johns Manville appropriate for 1915. The center one is a Stewart model 26 from 1912 - 13.



Here's the Sears Cross in my 15:


Ford Special speedometer drive:


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Jelf, Parkerfield KS on Sunday, October 21, 2012 - 11:10 am:

I don't think anybody has mentioned the most obvious con, which is cost. For now I'm using a $20 bike speedo. Eventually I hope to get the real thing, but there are other things which come first, second, third, etc.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Randy Driscoll on Sunday, October 21, 2012 - 02:07 pm:

I like speedometers mostly because I like mechanical things, clocks and guns included, and if there is visible moving parts, that's even better. Collecting and assembling all the correct components for a speedo set up can be a fun project.


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