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Setting Replacement Odometer Miles

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Old May 31, 2007 | 01:25 PM
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Default Setting Replacement Odometer Miles

I'm installing a used speedo/odometer in my '72 and need to know how to set the replacement odometer to match what the original one reads and if there is a specific procedure for setting it.

My old one stopped at 95062 while the working replacement reads 17424. I have had the car since last September and I would be surprised if I have even put 500 miles on it but I have no way of knowing what the true miles are so I thought I'd add 500 and go from there.

If I ever sell it I will disclose the mileage situation.

I had also thought about just leaving the miles as is on the replacement.
Any thoughts?

cc
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Old May 31, 2007 | 02:02 PM
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I think you just note the speedo repair (and mileage reading differences) on the title when you sell it. That documents the actual car mileage for future buyers. I would think you should include that info in the bill of sale for the buyer, as well.
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Old May 31, 2007 | 02:17 PM
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I can help you, but remember changing mileage is against the law. Since we have that out of the way. You can make the speedo read any mileage you want. Place a pic of the rear of the speedo and I can tell you what to do.
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Old May 31, 2007 | 02:45 PM
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At least in Florida, the title for a car over a certain age states "mileage assumed not be correct", so it wouldn't matter here. I'm not sure what the magic age is, but my 76's title reads this way.
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Old May 31, 2007 | 03:35 PM
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Originally Posted by spedaleden
I can help you, but remember changing mileage is against the law. Since we have that out of the way. You can make the speedo read any mileage you want. Place a pic of the rear of the speedo and I can tell you what to do.
I just want a working odometer, I have no intention to defraud anyone. I intend to make a best guess at what the mileage should read since the dealer I bought it from never disclosed that it was broken.

Here is the pic/



cc
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Old May 31, 2007 | 04:28 PM
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Originally Posted by CCrane72
I just want a working odometer, I have no intention to defraud anyone. I intend to make a best guess at what the mileage should read since the dealer I bought it from never disclosed that it was broken.

Here is the pic/



cc
Remove the two screws from the back of the speedo. The speedo should come out the front of the metal housing. You should then see a round cylinder with the mileage numbers. Take a pic and post it.
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Old May 31, 2007 | 04:43 PM
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Ok, I borrowed this from an odometer repair document I downloaded.

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Old May 31, 2007 | 06:21 PM
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There is a clip that needs to be removed from the mileage cylinder. This clip is on the side by the tenths number (By Thumb in pic). Once the clip is removed you can remove the odometer numbers. Remember which way that clip was installed, so you can replace it the same way.

Now you should have the milage numbers with a plastic tab on the back. Remove the tab and remember which way it came off. Take a pic if need be. Do not brake this plastic tab. This is what keeps the numbers straight.
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Old May 31, 2007 | 07:00 PM
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Originally Posted by spedaleden
I can help you, but remember changing mileage is against the law. Since we have that out of the way.
Changing mileage isn't against the law. However, hiding the fact that the mileage isn't original when you sell a vehicle IS against the law. Otherwise, anyone who sold a car with a damaged odometer would be an outlaw!!!

Good tips spedaleden. CCrane72 - you could just install it the way it is and note the original odometer reading and the replacement odometer reading. If you ever sold the car, someone could calculate the approximate mileage.
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Old May 31, 2007 | 07:22 PM
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The other option is we could take the mileage out of the broken speedo and install that into the new one. Now you don't have to mess with the cylinder.

Sorry Clip is on the side of thousandths not tenths

Last edited by spedaleden; May 31, 2007 at 07:29 PM.
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Old May 31, 2007 | 08:01 PM
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Do not use force to turn the numbers and remember which row will be in the window when you are done. Setting the speedo is easy getting it out of a vette is a bear.
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Old May 31, 2007 | 08:25 PM
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Here is pic of clip removed. You will see that same clip also on the trip mileage



Now carefully remove the mileage not to scratch the numbers.

Here is what you should have



Here is my mileage



On the opposite side of the mileage are the tabs that keep the numbers straight. Once tabs are lined up look at oposite side to see your mileage



Remove plastis tab and do not brake it

Hold all the tabs except tenths and turn the gear clockwise to set it to 2 then hold the farthest tab on right turn clockwise the rest of the numbers until the 6 is lined up with the 2. Continue with that process until you have your mileage.

Here is a pic to check your work. Leave odometer on table and push all tabs to table


Look at opposite side for mileage



Here is a pic of it completed with tab in place



Installed in speedomter



Make sure metal tabs are lined up with metal rail.



Replace clip and install speedo
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Old May 31, 2007 | 09:16 PM
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Originally Posted by Z-man
Changing mileage isn't against the law. However, hiding the fact that the mileage isn't original when you sell a vehicle IS against the law. Otherwise, anyone who sold a car with a damaged odometer would be an outlaw!!!
Just so everyone is clear on this

The Federal Odometer Act

To counteract this temptation and to protect consumers, the federal government passed a law called the Federal Odometer Act. Anyone purchasing a car in the United States is protected by this act.

Under the act, it is unlawful to tamper with an odometer in order to change the mileage registered. Tampering can take a number of different forms, all of them illegal. For example, it is a violation of the act to drive a vehicle with a disconnected odometer (which therefore would not register the miles), or to install or sell a device that makes the odometer record mileage inaccurately. It is also a violation to reduce manually the number of miles on the odometer.

Notice of broken odometer

Sometimes odometers break or malfunction. According to the act, if an odometer is broken, it cannot be altered when it is being repaired. If an odometer cannot be fixed without being altered, it must be reset to zero. A written notice must then be attached to the vehicle's left door frame that states the mileage before the repair and the date of the repair. You can then add the mileage on the door frame notice to the mileage on the odometer to get the total miles.

As a consumer, be aware that the person or company selling the car is responsible for knowing the correct total mileage. The seller must convey that information to you in writing. The act prohibits the transfer of ownership of a car to a seller without full disclosure of the actual total mileage. If a car’s actual mileage is unknowable, or if the seller is unsure of the actual mileage, he or she must tell you in writing that the actual mileage is unknown.
Individual states have more detailed documentation requirements.
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Old May 31, 2007 | 10:29 PM
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Thanks all for the info. I have the odometer set now.

Based upon the Fed. Odometer Act information I decided that it is apparently OK if the odometer breaks and the miles keep accumulating without showing on the odometer as long as when you fix it, it displays the same number of miles as when it broke.

Therefore, I set it to 95062 just like the broken one and if I sell it, I will note the break and subsequent repair on the bill of sale as well as the odometer statement (Kansas form).

Now, any hints for removing the needle? The replacement faceplate is not near as nice as my original.

cc
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Old May 31, 2007 | 10:33 PM
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The needle just pulls off. It is a pressed on needle. Be careful not to bend or brake. When replacng needle hold speedo like to would be mounted in dash and place needle at 0 MPH.
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Old Jun 1, 2007 | 12:29 AM
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Originally Posted by CCrane72
Thanks all for the info. I have the odometer set now.

Based upon the Fed. Odometer Act information I decided that it is apparently OK if the odometer breaks and the miles keep accumulating without showing on the odometer as long as when you fix it, it displays the same number of miles as when it broke.

Therefore, I set it to 95062 just like the broken one and if I sell it, I will note the break and subsequent repair on the bill of sale as well as the odometer statement (Kansas form).

Now, any hints for removing the needle? The replacement faceplate is not near as nice as my original.

cc
Grab the chrome hub and be careful not to slip and bend the orange portions. (pretty fragile). Turn it counter clockwise while gently pulling out. It should come right off. When re-installing, position it at about 30 and again turn counter clockwise, this time pushing in gently till you get to zero. I hope that helps.
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Old Jun 1, 2007 | 10:10 AM
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Originally Posted by gldnkngt
Grab the chrome hub and be careful not to slip and bend the orange portions. (pretty fragile). Turn it counter clockwise while gently pulling out. It should come right off. When re-installing, position it at about 30 and again turn counter clockwise, this time pushing in gently till you get to zero. I hope that helps.
Excellant advice. Thanks for the precise instruction. Maybe that will keep me from ruining the needle.

cc
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Old Jun 3, 2007 | 02:45 AM
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Originally Posted by noonie
Just so everyone is clear on this

Individual states have more detailed documentation requirements.
And to further clarify why we can all change our odometers legally - the Federal Odometer Act only applies to cars newer than 10 years old.
(3) A vehicle that was manufactured in a model year beginning at least ten years before January 1 of the calendar year in which the transfer occurs; or Example to paragraph (a)(3): For vehicle transfers occurring during calendar year 1998, model year 1988 or older vehicles are exempt.
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Old Jun 3, 2007 | 09:11 AM
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When I look at a shark to buy I may never look at the odometer. If it is a four speed the plastic gear would go bad as soon as the lube was gone in the cable and it turned hard. When you say the milage is correct you only know this if you owned the car from new so on a three owner car it don't shead any light for me.
I set my frame offs at zero on my cars as they are like new and the milage has no meaning on a rebuilt block or any other parts that are rebuilt.
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