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140 mph speedometer

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Bruce Bowker

Bruce Bowker

Obi Wan
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Was a 140 mph speedometer an option on the 100 M cars?

Bruce
 
There are perhaps several ways to answer this. Let's try this: the 140 MPH speedo was an option on any Healey Hundred (in the sense that you could buy one and install it, or have it installed), although it was not an "Austin factory option." So the answer to your question, if I understand it correctly to ask if it was a factory option, appears to be "No."

I hope I did better this time in answering this. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif
 
Reid - thanks. That helps me a great deal.

Bruce
 
Reid stated: it was part of the basic specification of the 100M

I currently have two factory 100M's, plus two have passed thru my hands over the years.
All had the standard AH-100 120 mph speedometer.
The 140 mph speedometer was not standard equipment on a factory 100M.
The 140 mph speedometer is in the 100 Special Tuning brochure. I believe that the 140 speedometer was used with rear end ratios other than the standard 4.1 ratio.
I believe that only AH-100 with a std equip 140 speedometer was the 100S.
The 100S had 2.73 rear-end ratio, so it had legs long enough for the 140 speedometer.
Alan Alfano
56 AH-100M (2)
 
The 100M model continues to be the bane of a Healey Historian's existence.

My 100M, purchased from the original owner and reportedly unaltered, has a 140 MPH speedometer, and always did. It was NOT a special-order car.
 
Source: 100M leaflet
Under Instruments it states 120 m.p.h. speedometer.
Under Rear axle it states ratio 4.10 to 1.

Source: Parts List for the Austin-Healey 100, Electrical I
The 120 mph speedometer is used with the 4.125 to 1 rear axle ratio (1325 flex revolutions).
The 140 mph speedometer is used with the 3.66 to 1 rear axle ratio (1180 flex revolutions).

It has been my observation that the 120 speedometer face states "1325" under the trip odometer numbers.
The rear end and speedometer are paired together, otherwise ones speed would be off.

Something is special about your car.
Being the literture collector that you are,
what literature piece indicates that the 140 speedo was standard on the 100M ?

Have you ever verified that your rear end ratio ?
Caulk marks on the drive shaft and brake drum would easily verify it.

Alan Alfano
56 100M (2)
 
Mine has the 140 speedo. Accordng to the original restorer, it had it. Of course, this proves nothing!

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/driving.gif
 
Would it be correct then that the 140 speedo would not work correctly with the 4.125 to 1 rear axle ratio (1325 flex revolutions).

Bruce
 
[ QUOTE ]
Would it be correct then that the 140 speedo would not work correctly with the 4.125 to 1 rear axle ratio (1325 flex revolutions).

Bruce

[/ QUOTE ]

Unfortunately you cannot rely on the flex revs number being correct, as the speedo may well have been worked on and modified by previous owners. The ratio for the oddometer, the trip recorder and the speedometer are all individually settable.

The speedo is set by a combination of 5 magnet strengths and 7 return spring strengths, thus there are 35 variations using standard parts.

The trip and the oddometer are each set by changing pawls and rachets, and adjusting the throw of the pawl.

On my BJ8 speedo the mph was correct but both the trip and oddometer gave different (and both wrong) readings. Corrected now by return to a specialist /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/england.gif
 
Andrew - thanks for the additional information. This entire idea started when a 140 mph unit showed up on eBay. Sounds way too comlicated and the seller also states the unit is untested which translates to me as - doesn't work.

Thansk again

Bruce
 
John,
It is the number of revolutions that the inner speedometer (flex) cable make when the car travels a given distance. For example, to be accurate, a speedometer that is marked 1325 will require 1325 revolutions of the iner cable for one mile of car distance. This number is what the shops use to calibrate speedometers. As discussed in a couple of previous topics, the actual number for your car can be determined. It automatically takes into consideration differences in tire size & axle ratios.
D
 
140 reproduction faces are also available to convert a 120 into a 140. Talk to a 100S restorer.
 
[ QUOTE ]
140 reproduction faces are also available to convert a 120 into a 140. Talk to a 100S restorer.

[/ QUOTE ]

So it could be a "fake" so to speak. I have given up on the idea. Someone has bid $325 on it though.

Bruce
 
Hi everyone! I'm new to this forum. I'm also the owner of the 140mph speedo (which I'm trying to sell on eBay).

Maybe I can clear a few things up about the instrument. First off I pride myself on being very honest when it comes to describing something I'm selling. So, when I say something is untested it means just that. Everything works on the speedo, but I have never actually put it in a car to try it out.

Secondly there is no reason to think the instrument is a fake since I bought it many,many years ago..long before the Healey hipe would have made such rip offs popular... not to mention this piece came from a very reputable person.

I would also like to state that the person who wins the auction will get his money fully refunded if he is not happy with what he is purchased. My feedback speaks for itself.

Personally, I don't care for some of the negative remarks a few of you have choosen to make. They are uninformed and totally uncalled for.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Personally, I don't care for some of the negative remarks a few of you have choosen to make. They are uninformed and totally uncalled for.

[/ QUOTE ]

Just re-read the entire thread and sorry but I don't see any negative remarks. Sorry if somehow I offended you by saying it COULD be a "fake".
 
Actually, I did read the thread again and you're right. I made the mistake of saying a few of you made negative remarks, when it was only you.

Quote: Sounds way too comilcated and the seller also states the unit is untested which translates to me as - doesn't work.

Anyhow, I'm not going to die on this hill...there are much better things in life.
I wish you only positive thoughts, Bruce

Frank
 
Welcome to the best British car forum on the internet, Oneguy... I'm glad you had the opportunity to address your Ebay ad. I am quite sure that no one meant anything personal. Most of the folks in this thread have been members here for a long time and are all pretty good eggs, I can assure you.

I think the real culprits here are those few unscrupulous operators on Ebay who taint an otherwise great resource (I have been burned more than once buying stuff on the internet, including a 62 Jaguar Etype that was nowhere near the condition advertised). I try to discourage wholesale vendor bashing here, but discussions that may express skepticism about items on Ebay are going to happen from time to time. It is unfortunate that some of the bad-apples on Ebay tend to bring out a healthy skepticism about things that appear on Ebay.

Anyway, I’m sure you will find BCF a friendly place, with lots of healthy discussion and very little flaming or personal attacks between members (I don’t allow it for very long). Welcome aboard,

Basil
 
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