I have a decent gauge cluster set from the '49 Panel that I am parting out. The cluster is very clean for its age. I took it apart to clean out the dust and could see that the speedometer is in very good condition.

I'd like to reset the odometer to all zero's. It was at 93,500 before I disassembled it. I got 4 out of 6 zero's at one time, but then couldn't get the last two. I don't remember how I did it. I was just playing with it and happened to get 4 zeros reset.

Does anyone know how to reset the odometer to zero's? Is there a way to do this?

Thanks, Ilya

 

When it is put back together, cant you put a reversable drill on the cable and run it back to 0?

 

I really don't want to use a drill to run it to zero's. There has to be another way of doing this.

Ilya

 

Yes, you'r right it cant be very good for it to do that.

 

I recently did the same thing on my '58 speedometer. I know they're years apart, but it looks to be constructed in the same way the '58 speedo is.
There's a really easy way to roll it back to zero, I just can't figure out how to put it into words. It involves those metal spacers that have sections sticking up. You have to rotate all of those (except the one by the number you're trying to roll) and then roll the number. Then you move to the next one, rotate the spacers that aren't by the number, then roll the number.
I KNOW how ridiculous this is to read. It's even more difficult to write. If you just "fiddle" with it you'll see how it works. The spacers play a big part. Don't be nervous to rotate them. I think they have some sort of "unlocking" mechanism and that's why they're there. One at a time though. It only takes about 5 minutes.

Good luck.

TC

 

i tried the truck of hooking up a drill to the speedo cable on my '65 fairlane.... ended up snapping the cable somehow.... its worked pretty well.... just not pratical.

 

I did it to my 51 a couple months ago. I had a little trouble with it, but after studying it for a while and spraying it with WD40 I figured it out. You have to sit and look at it, and remember it starts with the tenths, and goes up till it advances enough to move the next cog, and then the next. You have to bring it back down the same way even though its out of the housing. Start at the highest and work back. I do remember it took me a while to get it done.

 

I resore the 48-50 cluster and yes, you start at the high numbers (left side) and work your way down to the lower numbers. The biggest pain is keeping the thin spacers all in a row to properly install it back into the housing.

Barry

50 F-1

 

I did it. I reset it to all zero's. However, I was able to do it by starting from the right side and working to the left. Is there a difference??

Ilya

 

You was able to get it back to "0" that's all that counts. I did mine a month ago and couldn't remember exactly which end I started from. Its just one of those little projects you do, and move on.

 

I reset mine a few months ago also when I redid the speedometer.
problem is that I cant get it to line evenly with the window it sits in

 

When you reinstalled it the odometer did you get the groove in the end washers aligned with the metal on the back of the speedometer face. My odmeter didn't align up either it was between 999999 and "0". So I took my battery powered drill and a square bit and ran it forward to "0". That way I will also know it will work when installed. I wish I had taken some pictures while I had it apart.

 

Here's how my reset odometer looks like. It's set back into the grooves and the holes as needed. I was careful in not moving the tenth digit because then i'd have to reset it to all zero's again.

I think that the 0's line up pretty good.






Now it's on to restoring the rest of the cluster.

Ilya

 

Thanks for the info 51fordfan, thats a nicely restored speedometer
I'll try resetting it with a drill. I do have it set on the notches.
Snipa