We put the 50 Ford back on the road this weekend. The new motor is running great! No problems with the transmission. John & Johnny Barefield did a great job on building the engine and putting it in the car. Something someone on another board told us (after we were halfway done) couldn't be done with out changing out the steering. The original steering is still there and everything works together just fine, even if it is a little close in places.

I also completely rewired the car (one wire at the time, not a kit), painted the firewall and inner fenders to match the car, put on new weather strips on the doors and trunk, and hood, insulated the hood, installed a new stereo and speakers and new interior lighting. And for good measure I detailed and carpeted the trunk.n I'll try to get some photos up on my site soon.

Now for the bad stuff, the universal speedo cable hooked up to the tranny and speedo, but the speed is way off! The way I've got it figured if my speedo says I'm running 77 mph I'm actually running 55. In a measured mile my odo says 1 mile and 4 tenths. I figure alot taller tire on the back and regearing the transmission speedo gears won't get me close enough to the actual speed. The worse part is that my insurance is based on mileage, I'm allowed 7500 miles, but with the speedo like this I can actually only travel about 5000 miles! It appears that a previous owner had changed the rear to a 9" Ford from a late 50's car, so the speedo wasn't right when the flathead and original tranny was in it.

Any suggestions anyone?

Congratulations on being back on the road. I went thru the same dance this winter.

Re your speedo. I don't know what tranny you have, but I just re-calibrated mine. I have a Turbo 350 and the speedo was 12-15 mph off. I don't remember whether I added or removed teeth, but I changed both the drive and driven gear by 1 tooth each. It's not perfect, but it's a lot closer than it was.

bjb
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There's a world of difference between "good" and "good enough".

As a rule 1 tooth more on driven gear = -5 mph, 1 tooth less = + 5 mph
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Life ain't easy when you're fat and greasy

To correct your speedo problem, you may want to consider a "ratio adapter." ...This is a litte gearbox which attaches to your transmission where the cable hooks up. The existing cable then hooks up to the outside of the gearbox. ...The gearbox requires approx 1-1/2" to 2" to accommodate its thickness, so if there is a close-fitting crossmember or trans tunnel, you may or may not be able to utilize a ratio adapter.

You do NOT have to know your axle ratio, trans gear tooth counts, or tire size. All you need to do is drive your car 10 measured miles (such as a marked interstate) and see how any miles are recorded on your odometer. Your reading will be greater or less than 10 miles. ......This method is much more accurate than checking over just 1 mile's distance. I did my trial three times, just to be more accurate.

Many speedometer shops will provide and calibrate these ratio adapters. I get mine from A.C.I. Engineering, Inc, 6728 Lover's Lane, Portage, Michigan, 49002 .... Phone: (269)-327-1991. .....They're great people to deal with, and I highly recommend them. Give them a call, and they will answer any questions you have. ...You'll just need to tell them your application, and the results of your 10-mile jaunt.

In some instances, the ratio adapter can be mounted away from the trans, and connected by a cable on each side. This will add to the cost and complexity, but is doable.

If, in the future, you change gearing or alter tire sizes drastically, the ratio adapter can be re-calibrated, without having to purchase a new one.

One point of information: Using a ratio adapter, or changing speedo gears in the transmission, can correct the odometer reading. In most cases, this will also give the correct speed indication. ....If your speedometer needs attention, it is possible to have a correct odometer reading, while the speedometer reading is inaccurate.

If you have or a friend has a GPS system with a laptop, you can check your speed very accurately without mile markers.
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phil


It's not a NOMAD, it's a Yeoman!
Not an engineer, but I DO drive a train.

Congradulations Rob. Just in time for Summer, too.

Lynn
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'65 GTO Convertible

Fixing the speedometer is as close as your GM parts counter.

Go here for more info:
http://www.tciauto.com/tech_info/speedo_gears.htm

I have dialed in a bunch of them......for myself and my friends.

The Speedometer cable SHOULD turn 1000 rpms in 1 mile. It is simple math to figure which combination of gears will do this.

Tire height.....
Rear end gear Ratio

Example ( my Deuce Roadster)

29.5 tall tire = 29.5 x 3.1417 = 92.6
1 mile is 5280 ft = 63360 inches

If the tire is 92.6 inches around and a mile is 63360....the tire will rotate 684.2 revolutions in 1 mile.

I have a 3.50 ratio in the rear SO my driveshaft turns 2394.8 times in a mile.

2395 divided by 1000 (the revs I need the speedo cable to turn) and I have the ratio as 2.395 to 1.


The Turbo 350 has a 17 drive gear available and a 40 driven gear available SO 40 divided by 17 is 2.3529412


This is for example only to illustrate HOW it is done.

IF I failed on my part to properly explain the procedure......just Email me the tire height and rear ratio (and the drive gear in the trans would be nice) and I will Email you back which gears would correct the speedometer.



Randy.......aka Deuce
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Same Wife, Same DEUCE Roadster, Same Job for over 20 years. Must be in a rut. AIN'T LIFE GRAND.....

OR do this.......

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2412202989&category=33727


Either will get you back at the correct speed......





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Same Wife, Same DEUCE Roadster, Same Job for over 20 years. Must be in a rut. AIN'T LIFE GRAND.....