1978 speedometer needle replacement

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Mar 28, 2009 | 07:01 PM

blctalon

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Sep 2005

Posts: 453

Likes: 1

From: Austin TX

1978 speedometer needle replacement

I'm trying to get my speedometer needle to read zero once it's installed. I seem to recall reading a thread on here a while back where someone explained the procedure but I can't find it via search. Is there anything special to getting this thing aligned on the stud so that it read correctly?

Mar 28, 2009 | 07:30 PM

0Willcox Corvette

Former Vendor

Joined: Aug 2006

Posts: 76,656

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From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103

St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15

It’s easy to install the needle. Gently place the needle at about 60 mph and turn it counter clock wise while pushing downward on the center area. As you get closer to 0 just push a little harder. If you don’t get it right the first time try again. You remove the needle in the same manner only instead of pushing inward you pull outward.

Willcox

Mar 30, 2009 | 09:21 AM

blctalon

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Sep 2005

Posts: 453

Likes: 1

From: Austin TX

Ok, I'll give that a shot. I think I had it at about 45-50 when I pushed it on but I better take then lens off and try it again. Once I get this on and the vacuum issue settled I'll be putting in your carpet next willcox.

Thanks

Jun 5, 2010 | 07:46 AM

C3 4ME

Le Mans Master

Joined: Oct 2005

Posts: 6,247

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From: Glen Allen, VA

Just to be clear, to remove the old needle, you should be pulling on the needle as you turn it clockwise from 0 to somewhere about 60?

Jun 17, 2010 | 08:48 PM

C3 4ME

Le Mans Master

Joined: Oct 2005

Posts: 6,247

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From: Glen Allen, VA

ttt. anyone? anyone? Bueller?

Jul 17, 2010 | 07:29 PM

Drawmain

Burning Brakes

Joined: Mar 2010

Posts: 943

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From: Valdosta Georgia

Well, I just broke the needle shaft trying to pull mine off. Now what??

Jul 17, 2010 | 07:44 PM

72LS1Vette

Safety Car

Joined: Aug 2001

Posts: 4,883

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From: North Easton Mass

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drawmain

Well, I just broke the needle shaft trying to pull mine off. Now what??

You probably need to buy a used speedometer and swap out the piece that holds the needle shaft.

Rick B.

Jul 17, 2010 | 08:18 PM

Drawmain

Burning Brakes

Joined: Mar 2010

Posts: 943

Likes: 15

From: Valdosta Georgia

Yep, got one on order
sheesh, lol

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Nov 19, 2012 | 05:19 PM

worship79

Drifting

Joined: Jul 2005

Posts: 1,623

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From: The Netherlands

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drawmain

Yep, got one on order
sheesh, lol

Were you succesful? Same problem here

Nov 19, 2012 | 07:45 PM

#10

Drawmain

Burning Brakes

Joined: Mar 2010

Posts: 943

Likes: 15

From: Valdosta Georgia

Quote:

Originally Posted by worship79

Were you succesful? Same problem here

I bought a 140 MPH unit from a vendor and just swapped them out.

Nov 20, 2012 | 06:49 AM

#11

myko

Racer

Joined: Oct 2011

Posts: 318

Likes: 3

From: NP Nebraska

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drawmain

Well, I just broke the needle shaft trying to pull mine off. Now what??

I did the same thing. I was able to glue the shaft and make it work until I got a new one. When you got the 140MPH unit did you have to swap out the driven gear to get it to read correct? I just put a 120MPH face on my old unit thinking that I could get a larger gear to make it correct but the TH350 doesn't have a gear with enough teeth to make it correct. Haven't gotten around to getting it just right yet

Nov 20, 2012 | 11:12 AM

#12

Drawmain

Burning Brakes

Joined: Mar 2010

Posts: 943

Likes: 15

From: Valdosta Georgia

I ordered a complete unit that was correct for my 82 but re calibrated for the 140 mph face so it was just plug and play for me.

Nov 24, 2012 | 08:01 AM

#13

worship79

Drifting

Joined: Jul 2005

Posts: 1,623

Likes: 29

From: The Netherlands

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drawmain

I bought a 140 MPH unit from a vendor and just swapped them out.

Yeah, looks like the wisest thing to do apart from sending it in for repair.

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