Speedometer question: 1960 Valiant

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Gadabout

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The needle is missing, so assuming the entire unit needs to be replaced. Question is do I go with this junkyard find and hope it works or go with this apparently NOS Wagner unit? A 100% restore is not critical to me, but I'd like to keep the visual integrity the same, by having the center cover intact. Thank you in advance for advice.

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If the used cluster is cheap try it

But the new one looks really good, might make your other gauges look bad?
 
bcschief said:
That speedo looks the same as a 63-64 Valiant, see if there is a part number on the back.
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The cluster is 260, the NOS is 250. My concern, is the NOS going to fit nicely into the cluster, or is it not? The junkyard cluster, is well, might I be buying a piece of junk? I am leaning towards the NOS. If it doesn't fit, well I can return it. Talking it out, I am answering my own question.
 
Gadabout said:
The cluster is 260, the NOS is 250. My concern, is the NOS going to fit nicely into the cluster, or is it not? The junkyard cluster, is well, might I be buying a piece of junk? I am leaning towards the NOS. If it doesn't fit, well I can return it. Talking it out, I am answering my own question.
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Most wrecking yards have a guarantee that their parts work. You might also check with Instrument Specialties to see what it would cost to repair your speedometer.
 
Thanks for the tip. I didn't even know about instrument specialists. Hoping it's just the gauge, and not something in the gearing that transmits the rotations. But, I ordered the NOS one, and if it doesn't fit, back it goes. It looks similar and is supposedly an accurate replacement.
 
The only real gearing is for the odometer. The speedometer is a spinning shaft with a magnet on the end that sits close to a steel shell with the needle attached to it. Usually the bushing on the shaft wears out allowing the magnet to hit the shell causing it to jump around and break the needle.
 
OH, wow. So not just a cable and an odometer, I should be looking for a bushing. What would it be called, for a Google search? A speedometer bushing?
 
It's probably not available as a replacement part, and I wouldn't want to try to replace it myself without the specialty tools needed.
 
Got the speedometer in, and it works- sort of! Seems to register about 20MPH faster than actual, but that'll do!
 
Drive a known distance and see how close the odometer is. If it is spot on the Speedo is in need of calibration.

If it is off change the speedo gear
 
Gadabout said:
Will do, or perhaps compare it to a GPS speedometer on my phone?
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That will work but....

Gadabout said:
Got the speedometer in, and it works- sort of! Seems to register about 20MPH faster than actual, but that'll do!
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If all you did was change the speedo head, and you are 20 mph off, then either the new head is out of adjustment OR the old head was out of adjustment and someone replaced the gear to compensate.

So by checking miles you will know which it is.

Miles correct.... speedo head is needing calibration.

Miles incorrect gear is wrong.
 
On your test the focus is on the odometer (distance) and not the speed.
Longer the test drive the better, use the GPS as a reference or mile markers on the highway.


Alan
 
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