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Rebuilt Speedo

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prb51

prb51

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In another thread I mentioned I was going to get my Speed recalibrated to match the Toyota 5 speed.
I did the 52'9.5" test (1/100th mile) watching the speedo cable turn and after a few runs figured the speedo tunrned 10.5 (1050)times in that distance (tape flag on cable). The stock number is 1180 as marked on the speedo face.
I sent my speedo to Morris at West Valley Instruments in Reseda, Ca as suggested by a web member.
The speedo came back looking great although it looked pretty good to begin with so can't say I sent a beat up unit and it came back looking new....sitting next to my tach (which looks good) it only looks a little 'crisper' but the reset unit looks 100% better covered in rubber with a new brass knob. Like I said it looks great but I didn't test his 'artistic' skills.
He recalibrated both the speed and odo.
I also sent my cable (his recommendation) and he gutted it and put new innards in (sent the old back)...the cable was almost new from the major supplier but was too loose (lack of resistance) and the end was too long on the speedo side which can cause internal drag/bounce within the speedo.
The unit works flawlessly...if the car is moving the speedo is registering and very smoothly. There is absolutely no bounce just a gentle sweep as in an electronic unit and minor rpm adjustments are instantly registered.
In 4th gear the speedo and tach sweep as one and 60mph is 3k rpm.
Really nicely done and I suspect the cable had something to do with the smooth operation.
The cable was an additional $20 but well worth it.
His prices are competative with the other rebuilders as they were all within $5 of each other if the unit was basically sound and needed a basic rebuild (mine did not register any speed until above 10mph and was off in mph even before the tranny change).
He had the unit for 10 days including shipping from his end.

https://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc138/prb51/DSC01229.jpg
https://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc138/prb51/DSC01228.jpg
 
Thanks for the post. I sent my speedo off to Morris last week and he called yesterday to say it's off 15%. My cable turned 11.5 times instead of the 10 times it should have. My speedo number was 1000. Morris called me after he got it to ask about the cable, explaining, it should have a nylon bushing on the end and not protrude more then 5/16" or there would be no warranty on his work. When I told him it measures 1/2", he told me to send it to him for modification. So now he has both and I'll probably see them again around Christmas week. Speedometer, Odometer and cable are all being fixed.

I thought his rebuilding is more of an internal component rebuilding and doesn't include any cosmetics other then a clean-up. I'll post my mine when it gets back though my car won't get back on the road until January sometime. It's getting Goodparts' CVJs. :thumbsup:
 
Bobby,
You may be right about the cosmetics as mine looked as good prior, I don't know...although the reset dial was done and the chrome ring looks new, the casing was also polished.... I'm sure you'll be happy with the way the thing works though.
 
If Pat is the originator of this question, I would like to point out that there is no angle drive on any TR2, TR3 or TR3A or B.
 
Don,
I have a Toyota Tranny (the reason for the Speedo recalibration) installed and they require an angle drive to operate due to the location of the cable outlet on the tranny.
Alfa, above comment, modified an MG angle drive to fit the Toyota so that I can use a stock TR3 non OD cable and it works great.
 
On a TR6, the right angle drive isn't necessary though some guys do have them. I ran my cable from the tranny to the frame rail and then made a big sweeping turn over the exhaust and under the tranny to the driver's side of the car. If you make too tight a bend you'll get some jumping of the speedo needle at higher speeds.......or so I'm told.

SpeedoRouting1.jpg


SpeedoRouting2.jpg
 
How much does it cost to have your speedo rebuilt by Morris? Does he just do the recalibrations for Toyota transmissions? How about stock, or a conversion to something else?

Thanks,

Dan Blackwood
80 TR7 DHC
66 TR4AIRS EFI
 
Bobby,
Good to know there is an alternative method if needed but with an angle drive it's a very smooth route up and over the top of the tranny and back of the motor
in a nice arc. I noticed the speedo worked better even befor the rebuild due to that route.

Dan,
He'll recalibrate to anything you request as long as you know the ratio. The stock ratio is printed on the face. There are so many swap/switch motors trannies nowadays in all auto hobbies that all speedo shops do it.
The rebuild is $125. but he'll quote you a solid price when he sees your unit.
Recal other than stock is more and so is the odo change.
 
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