The Ford Barn

RalphG · 10-06-2016, 10:01 PM

I got the instrument panel opened up on the 52 Merc (carefully) today and can see what might be the problem. Seems like the return coil spring on the needle is all wound up, possibly twisted off or disconnected. I can't get any movement at all on the speedometer so I don't know if it has seized up or what. Its a King Seeley as are all the instruments. I'm thinking I will just clean it up, put it all back together and be content to live without a working speedometer.

RalphM · 10-06-2016, 10:11 PM

Definitely repairable, now that you know what the cause is.

RalphG · 10-06-2016, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RalphM

Definitely repairable, now that you know what the cause is.

True, repairable, but do I dare trust Canada Post and U.S.P.S. to safely transport such a delicate instrument and get it back to me in one piece?

38bill · 10-06-2016, 10:42 PM

Just box it up in a large enough box (maybe use an inner and a outer box) and insure it for enough to replace it if damaged. I have purchased several speedos over the years and they all arrived in one piece. Your speedometer is a very big part of your dash and I bet you will be happier once its working properly. I know I hate staring at gauges that dont work. PS:What part of Sask are you located in?

rotorwrench · 10-07-2016, 11:16 AM

Find one on Flea-Pay as long as they guarantee it functions. That one is likely repairable but it might be more costly than finding another usable one that can be cleaned & lubed to make it go another 50+ years. The 1953 models used the same part number FAB-17255-E so you can google that & see what comes up. The chassis parts book I have stops at 1953 so it may also work on the 54 but I can't confirm that. Stay away from the rusty stuff and ask plenty of questions.

RalphG · 10-07-2016, 01:29 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by rotorwrench

Find one on Flea-Pay as long as they guarantee it functions. That one is likely repairable but it might be more costly than finding another usable one that can be cleaned & lubed to make it go another 50+ years. The 1953 models used the same part number FAB-17255-E so you can google that & see what comes up. The chassis parts book I have stops at 1953 so it may also work on the 54 but I can't confirm that. Stay away from the rusty stuff and ask plenty of questions.

The 54 dash is quite different from the 52-53. I did get this one free turning by hand after soaking some WD40 overnight. But the odometer does not turn. Not sure yet but I'm thinking its going back together as is and I rely on hand held GPS if I really need to know those figures.
Have to say I'm impressed at the weight of that dash cluster housing. Must be more metal in there than an entire dash of a modern auto.

rotorwrench · 10-07-2016, 02:37 PM

If it is zinc die cast then that's why it's so heavy. Your lucky though. I had to take the whole dash out to work on my speedo in the 51. There is just not enough room to work on in under the dash and the panel waterfall won't clear the steering column even if you drop it down. I bought a clean looking instrument panel off the bay about 8-years ago and I only paid about 75 bucks for it complete. The panel was a little too pitted to use without getting it rechromed but the instruments were in great condition. The speedo out of that one fixed one of my 51s. I also used one of the gauges and some of the accessory retention hardware that is hard to source.

RalphG · 10-07-2016, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rotorwrench

I bought a clean looking instrument panel off the bay about 8-years ago and I only paid about 75 bucks for it complete. The panel was a little too pitted to use without getting it rechromed but the instruments were in great condition. The speedo out of that one fixed one of my 51s. I also used one of the gauges and some of the accessory retention hardware that is hard to source.

I've seen several on e-bay but with our 75 cent dollar and high shipping costs I'd be paying well over $100 for a used instrument panel that may or may not work. If nothing else I am learning a bit about what is inside a speedometer and how it works.

10-06-2016, 10:11 PM	#2
RalphM Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: North Pole, Alaska Posts: 2,667	Re: Mercury Speedometer Definitely repairable, now that you know what the cause is.

10-06-2016, 10:42 PM	#4
38bill Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,200	Re: Mercury Speedometer Just box it up in a large enough box (maybe use an inner and a outer box) and insure it for enough to replace it if damaged. I have purchased several speedos over the years and they all arrived in one piece. Your speedometer is a very big part of your dash and I bet you will be happier once its working properly. I know I hate staring at gauges that dont work. PS:What part of Sask are you located in?

10-07-2016, 11:16 AM	#5
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 17,410	Re: Mercury Speedometer Find one on Flea-Pay as long as they guarantee it functions. That one is likely repairable but it might be more costly than finding another usable one that can be cleaned & lubed to make it go another 50+ years. The 1953 models used the same part number FAB-17255-E so you can google that & see what comes up. The chassis parts book I have stops at 1953 so it may also work on the 54 but I can't confirm that. Stay away from the rusty stuff and ask plenty of questions. Last edited by rotorwrench; 10-07-2016 at 11:51 AM.

10-07-2016, 02:37 PM	#7
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 17,410	Re: Mercury Speedometer If it is zinc die cast then that's why it's so heavy. Your lucky though. I had to take the whole dash out to work on my speedo in the 51. There is just not enough room to work on in under the dash and the panel waterfall won't clear the steering column even if you drop it down. I bought a clean looking instrument panel off the bay about 8-years ago and I only paid about 75 bucks for it complete. The panel was a little too pitted to use without getting it rechromed but the instruments were in great condition. The speedo out of that one fixed one of my 51s. I also used one of the gauges and some of the accessory retention hardware that is hard to source.