C3 General General C3 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Odometer Question

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 2, 2011 | 10:39 AM
  #1  
Richard Cooper's Avatar
Richard Cooper
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
25 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 2,473
Likes: 10
From: New Paltz, New York USA
Default Odometer Question

Is there a way to turn the odometer back to 0? I have a 1981 that I just put a new crate engine in and the odometer is at 136,875. I would like to reset it back to 0 for the new motor. TIA
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2011 | 10:55 AM
  #2  
oldsarge's Avatar
oldsarge
Race Director
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,977
Likes: 19
From: Canboro Ontario
Default

You can take a cable and hook it up to any small electrical motor or drill in reverse and watch the numbers roll back. Just don't use anything with too high of speed, should use med to slow revs, and it will take awhile to get it from 136,875 to 0.
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2011 | 10:59 AM
  #3  
Easy Mike's Avatar
Easy Mike
Team Owner
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Default

Look before you leap. Rolling back an odometer is illegal in a lot of places.

Better safe than sorry.

Reply
Old Sep 2, 2011 | 11:00 AM
  #4  
Vampyre's Avatar
Vampyre
Drifting
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,711
Likes: 2
From: Rochester NY
Default

^ Not sure that applies to cars that are this old.

but best to check your state.
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2011 | 11:16 AM
  #5  
jcloving's Avatar
jcloving
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 945
Likes: 10
From: Winston Salem NC
Default

Or you can put it up on jack stands, put in reverse and put a brick on the accelerator pedal. Just don't kick the front of the car.

Joking.

This was done on a Ferrari GT250 California in the movie Ferris Bueller's Day off.

It did not end well.
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2011 | 11:46 AM
  #6  
joewill's Avatar
joewill
Safety Car
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,458
Likes: 331
From: Indy Indiana
Default

its about a mile a minute using your drill, so about 36000 minutes = 600 hours = 25 days = How many burned out drill motors?
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2011 | 11:48 AM
  #7  
69VetteFla's Avatar
69VetteFla
Drifting
 
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,536
Likes: 1
From: Boca Raton FL
Default

Originally Posted by jcloving
Or you can put it up on jack stands, put in reverse and put a brick on the accelerator pedal. Just don't kick the front of the car.

Joking.

This was done on a Ferrari GT250 California in the movie Ferris Bueller's Day off.

It did not end well.
One of the funniest scenes ever
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2011 | 11:53 AM
  #8  
qwank's Avatar
qwank
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 61
From: Southern NH
Default

just leave it alone, the odometer mileage doesn't reflect how far the engine has driven, it tells you how far the car as a whole has gone. you wouldn't even set back the mileage if you did a frame off resto.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Sep 2, 2011 | 11:56 AM
  #9  
Richard Cooper's Avatar
Richard Cooper
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
25 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 2,473
Likes: 10
From: New Paltz, New York USA
Default

Thanks guys, I guess I am just going to leave it alone.
Reply
Old Mar 23, 2014 | 03:38 AM
  #10  
supersonicvette's Avatar
supersonicvette
Instructor
 
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: Rutland MA
Default

I've been looking into doing this too. I'm about to finish a frame off restoration on my 69 which has a new engine. The odometer never worked when I bought it so it says actual mileage unknown on the title. Anyone find an easy way to do this since the last post?

P.S. I looked at the ones that corvette central and others sell however the gears on the end are not the same as mine otherwise I would have just bought a new one.
Reply
Old Mar 23, 2014 | 07:37 AM
  #11  
cvm's Avatar
cvm
Pro
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 698
Likes: 20
From: Md
Default

Originally Posted by supersonicvette
I've been looking into doing this too. I'm about to finish a frame off restoration on my 69 which has a new engine. The odometer never worked when I bought it so it says actual mileage unknown on the title. Anyone find an easy way to do this since the last post?

P.S. I looked at the ones that corvette central and others sell however the gears on the end are not the same as mine otherwise I would have just bought a new one.
OP leave it be.

Supersonic- Beautiful Dobe.
I miss mine; 13.5 yrs & hip disease
Reply
Old Mar 23, 2014 | 08:32 AM
  #12  
seacliffe301's Avatar
seacliffe301
Pro
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 515
Likes: 66
From: Grosse Pte. Mich.
Default

When I purchased my car, the odometer was faulty (which was disclosed). I had the speedometer pulled and sent it off to have the odometer rebuilt. At this point, I had the mileage reset to zero. As the numbers that were on the odometer were not accurate or valid, I saw no point in using them. Today, I look at an odometer that tells me how many miles are on the car since my purchase.

As far as any laws are concerned, on Michigan titles there is an option that denotes "stated mileage is not accurate".
Reply
Old Mar 23, 2014 | 08:35 AM
  #13  
hotrodnick's Avatar
hotrodnick
Racer
Veteran: Air Force
 
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 362
Likes: 11
From: MARSHALLVILLE OHIO
Default

Illegal in the State of Ohio no matter how old the car is.
Reply
Old Mar 23, 2014 | 08:49 AM
  #14  
68/BB's Avatar
68/BB
Burning Brakes
Supporting Member
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 769
Likes: 36
From: Goose Creek SC
Default

Originally Posted by jcloving
Or you can put it up on jack stands, put in reverse and put a brick on the accelerator pedal. Just don't kick the front of the car.

Joking.

This was done on a Ferrari GT250 California in the movie Ferris Bueller's Day off.

It did not end well.
...Or he could just push it backwards not only rolling back the odometer but rolling back the age of the car to like new. However, he may not like the personality the car develops. That movie didn't end well at all.
Reply
Old Mar 23, 2014 | 09:03 AM
  #15  
3JsVette's Avatar
3JsVette
Race Director
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 14,948
Likes: 3,351
From: NYC NY
Default

Originally Posted by Easy Mike
Look before you leap. Rolling back an odometer is illegal in a lot of places.

Better safe than sorry.

In this day and age it's not worth it especially in a title state.
Reply
Old Mar 23, 2014 | 09:58 AM
  #16  
Street Rat's Avatar
Street Rat
Le Mans Master
Supporting Lifetime
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,339
Likes: 546
From: Central Texas
Default

Am I missing something here?

Take the speedometer out and send it to get recalibrated. Tell them to set the odometer back to zero for you. When and if you sell the car state that the mileage is not actual on the title papers. I've done that with a few cars that I've owned when changing engines and wanting to start "fresh".

I just noticed how old this thread is.

Last edited by Street Rat; Mar 23, 2014 at 10:01 AM.
Reply
Old Mar 23, 2014 | 10:30 AM
  #17  
my 76 ray's Avatar
my 76 ray
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,520
Likes: 11
From: Hinckley OH
Default

Originally Posted by hotrodnick
Illegal in the State of Ohio no matter how old the car is.
Then again if you have the time and money, go ahead and do it:
◾A first offense is a fourth-degree felony, which carries a penalty of 6 to 18 months in jail and up to a $5,000 fine.
◾A second offense is a third-degree felony, which carries a penalty of one to five years in jail and up to a $10,000 fine.

However, there is a provision where you can state that the odometer is inaccurate:
No person shall transfer a motor vehicle if they know or disregard facts indicating the odometer of the vehicle has been changed, altered, tampered with or disconnected to reflect a lower mileage, without disclosing those facts to the purchaser in writing.

I found this part to be very interesting:
No person shall operate a motor vehicle on any public street, road or highway in Ohio, knowing the odometer on the vehicle is disconnected or nonfunctional.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Odometer Question

Old Mar 23, 2014 | 10:41 AM
  #18  
joewill's Avatar
joewill
Safety Car
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,458
Likes: 331
From: Indy Indiana
Default

Originally Posted by my 76 ray


No person shall operate a motor vehicle on any public street, road or highway in Ohio, knowing the odometer on the vehicle is disconnected or nonfunctional.

So all you folks out there with broken speedometers/odometers.. better park your car..it is against the law to drive it..
Reply
Old Mar 23, 2014 | 11:19 AM
  #19  
seacliffe301's Avatar
seacliffe301
Pro
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 515
Likes: 66
From: Grosse Pte. Mich.
Default

Originally Posted by seacliffe301
When I purchased my car, the odometer was faulty (which was disclosed). I had the speedometer pulled and sent it off to have the odometer rebuilt. At this point, I had the mileage reset to zero. As the numbers that were on the odometer were not accurate or valid, I saw no point in using them. Today, I look at an odometer that tells me how many miles are on the car since my purchase.

As far as any laws are concerned, on Michigan titles there is an option that denotes "stated mileage is not actual".
Originally Posted by Street Rat
Am I missing something here?

Take the speedometer out and send it to get recalibrated. Tell them to set the odometer back to zero for you. When and if you sell the car state that the mileage is not actual on the title papers. I've done that with a few cars that I've owned when changing engines and wanting to start "fresh".

I just noticed how old this thread is.
LOL, yes I noticed the age of the post after replying.
Now, back to the subject at hand. Are there actually states that don't have a provision on their titles for documenting that the mileage displayed "is not actual"?
I find that hard to believe.

My interpretation makes the above stated examples fully legal if mileage disclosed at the time of sale is stated as being "not actual".
Reply
Old Mar 24, 2014 | 10:55 AM
  #20  
wisoutlaw's Avatar
wisoutlaw
Racer
 
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 340
Likes: 2
From: Port Washington WI
Default

Originally Posted by Richard Cooper
Is there a way to turn the odometer back to 0? I have a 1981 that I just put a new crate engine in and the odometer is at 136,875. I would like to reset it back to 0 for the new motor. TIA
Why not use an hour meter? Many marine applications use them because they can't track miles. Between knowing miles and hours you will have a lot of info on your engine.
Reply




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:07 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE