63 odometer gears replacement
I would very much appreciate if anyone can share a exploded graphic of the odometer / speedometer gear assemblies showing detail of all parts involved. I expect the 63 may have some unique parts (brass gears etc?) but not sure. Also does this type of repair require a calibration or magnetization process only possible through a shop? Are replacement gears available for the 63 and where might they be purchased? I have done a forum search and found good information, but I want to be as sure as I can that the 63 is same as all other midyears and I was not able to find good graphics depicting the parts assembly. Thanks in advance for any details that can be provided.
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Re: 63 odometer gears replacement
Richard,
I have a Delco 1956 to 1967 speedometer document that should be of help......
edit....
You can download it from HERE.
However, I highly recommend that you send the entire speedometer unit to a qualified specialist. If the odometer gears are bad, the main gear/magnet gear is likely worn too. The new magnets require magnetizing, then of course a calibration is necessary.
I tried doing my own odo gear and magnet replacement a few years ago on a '67 only to find out after reassembly....the speedometer didn't move when I ran it up using a variable speed drill.
I called a speedo shop owner I know, Bill Harrison, and he chuckled and said......"Rich, the new magnet isn't "magnetic". I felt silly, drove a hour to his shop and he fixed me up on the spot. He had to magnetize it, then calibrate it.
Rich -
Re: 63 odometer gears replacement
Thank you very much Richard, this is a great help. The speedometer / odometer appear to be one on the most technically complex items on the car, but one would likely not realize this! Looks like the repair shop may get this project. Again thank you & Best Regards.Comment
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Re: 63 odometer gears replacement
I replaced my odometer gears many many years ago and it is still working. My speedo reads a little slow, but I'm not sure if it is the unit or my radial tires (205x75R - 15's). I'm certainly not going to mess with it now anymore unless I have to.
Stu FoxComment
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Re: 63 odometer gears replacement
After you get the repaired stuff back make yourself a bracket to push in the trip knob and disengage the odometer. It takes a big load off the speedometer internals and will prevent this common failure - or at least postpone it for a LONG time...
The bracket can be taken off in 5 minutes for judging.Comment
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Re: 63 odometer gears replacement
Frank;
Very interesting. Never saw that before. Since I did me gears back in the late 70's, I guess I'm lucky mine is still working ok.
Stu FoxComment
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Re: 63 odometer gears replacement
Many of the speedo/odometers typically break around 60K-70K miles. If you've ever had one apart you'll see that the trip odometer adds a load on the whole assembly that is driven back through the regular odometer to the speedo head unit. On my '63 I would notice the speedo needle bounce every so often and I though it might have been when I went over a bump. Not so, the bounce occurred each time trip odometer rolled over a new number. That no longer happens with this simple bracket.
A few folks on the Corvette Forum have added this..Comment
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Re: 63 odometer gears replacement
Dom,
I wish you had not said that, I'm afraid to turn the wipers on now! Also, thanks everyone for help!Comment
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Re: 63 odometer gears replacement
Frank,
Great idea, Thanks!
RichComment
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Re: 63 odometer gears replacement
Frank;
Did I miss something about your bracket? Did you give us the dimensions? Come on man! You don't expect us to figure that out ourselves, do you?
Surely you don't plan to make and market them, do you?
Just joshing Frank.
Stu FoxComment
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Re: 63 odometer gears replacement
Simply have your speedo fixed at your local repair shop (there's nothing special about Corvettes) and it will last another 50K+ miles AND you'll be able to use your trip odometer.Comment
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Re: 63 odometer gears replacement
I don't particularly like pulling out the cluster - not a big fan at all so if I can minimize that with a $2.00 part I will. And the closest local repair shop I'd trust with my one year only gauges is Bill Harrison and he's over two hour drive away. Your car do as you see fit though.
Really - that bracket is 1" wide with two 90* bends out of as strong a steel as you can bend with ease. The hole is the size of the bolt that supports the steering column mast bracket with the length on that 1" wide portion long enough to fit up in the bracket snugly. After bending that down 90* you are better off determining the next bend for your particular car so that the knurled trip knob is pushed up high and tight. Then just cut the end under the knob that projects rearward short enough to cover the knob but not stick out obscenely....so start out with the piece longer than you ned by a good margin.
Not much to it really. I eyeballed it and basically measured nothing...Comment
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Re: 63 odometer gears replacement
Frank;
Thanks for the information. Perhaps I'll give it a try before I have any problem. Actually, I have not used the trip odometer since I fixed the gears.
Stu FoxComment
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