The Ford Barn

Ogarland · 06-20-2011, 02:48 PM

I just bought a 1955 Thunderbird, the speedometer is not working. We have disconnected at the transmission and hooked up to a drill. The speedometer worked but would not work when hooked back to the transmission. The gear in the transmission looks like a 57 gear, about 1/2" long and pink in color. The motor number is ECZ 6015-C, The transmission number is T85C-1A WG Div. The O.D. number is R11-1P WG Div.
My question is, will a 57 speedometer cable work with a 55 speedometer or what wlse should I do?

I recently purchased a 1955 Thunderbird. The speedometer is not working. We disconnected at the transmission and hooked it up to a drill and it worked. But when hooked back to the transmission it did not. The gear in the transmission looks like a 57 gear, about 1/2" long and pink in color. The motor number is ECZ 6015-C, The Transmission number is T85C-1A WG Div. The O.D. number is R11-1P WG Div.
Mu questions is, will a 57 speedometer cable work with a 55 speedometer or what else should I do?

40cpe · 06-20-2011, 03:28 PM

Congratulations on acquiring a '55 T-bird. The ECZ- engine number and T-85 transmission are from a later ('56 up) car or T-bird. The T-85 is the heavy transmission for use with the 312 cu in engine. If the speedometer cable gear you mention is not stripped it is possible that the drive gear internal to the transmission is damaged or moved on the tailshaft.

Mac VP · 06-20-2011, 04:23 PM

Good luck finding the speed drive gear. Almost unobtanium. I get calls for these every week. Wish someone would make them.

Bill Steiner · 06-20-2011, 04:25 PM

Pull the cable housing out of the trans and see if you can feel the drive gear on the trans shaft. It may have slipped. I cant remember how it was on the shaft. I think it had a clip that held it in place. Will the spedo. end turn if you jack it up and run the eng. with it in gear. Bill

paul2748 · 06-20-2011, 09:52 PM

Do you have the angle drive used in 55 and 56 Birds? Make sure this works ok. I have heard that they can break internally.

franksford · 06-21-2011, 12:09 PM

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The T85 gear on the output shaft were known to have problems after years of use. This transmission was first used in early 50s Mercurys so that uses a merc part number. That gear mounted on the output shaft has a reverse cut from other drive gears so there is none that inchange that i know of. If your still stuck call me i may be able to help, i hate typing. Frank (616) 874-1224

06-20-2011, 02:48 PM	#1
Ogarland Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 28	1955 Thunderbird I just bought a 1955 Thunderbird, the speedometer is not working. We have disconnected at the transmission and hooked up to a drill. The speedometer worked but would not work when hooked back to the transmission. The gear in the transmission looks like a 57 gear, about 1/2" long and pink in color. The motor number is ECZ 6015-C, The transmission number is T85C-1A WG Div. The O.D. number is R11-1P WG Div. My question is, will a 57 speedometer cable work with a 55 speedometer or what wlse should I do? I recently purchased a 1955 Thunderbird. The speedometer is not working. We disconnected at the transmission and hooked it up to a drill and it worked. But when hooked back to the transmission it did not. The gear in the transmission looks like a 57 gear, about 1/2" long and pink in color. The motor number is ECZ 6015-C, The Transmission number is T85C-1A WG Div. The O.D. number is R11-1P WG Div. Mu questions is, will a 57 speedometer cable work with a 55 speedometer or what else should I do?

06-20-2011, 03:28 PM	#2
40cpe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Star, MS Posts: 4,024	Re: 1955 Thunderbird Congratulations on acquiring a '55 T-bird. The ECZ- engine number and T-85 transmission are from a later ('56 up) car or T-bird. The T-85 is the heavy transmission for use with the 312 cu in engine. If the speedometer cable gear you mention is not stripped it is possible that the drive gear internal to the transmission is damaged or moved on the tailshaft.

06-20-2011, 04:23 PM	#3
Mac VP Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 1,361	Re: 1955 Thunderbird Good luck finding the speed drive gear. Almost unobtanium. I get calls for these every week. Wish someone would make them. __________________ VANPELT SALES LLC Cincinnati, Ohio Office: 513-724-9486 www.vanpeltsales.com www.classictransmission.com

06-20-2011, 04:25 PM	#4
Bill Steiner Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 263	Re: 1955 Thunderbird Pull the cable housing out of the trans and see if you can feel the drive gear on the trans shaft. It may have slipped. I cant remember how it was on the shaft. I think it had a clip that held it in place. Will the spedo. end turn if you jack it up and run the eng. with it in gear. Bill

06-20-2011, 09:52 PM	#5
paul2748 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Midland Park, NJ Posts: 3,980	Re: 1955 Thunderbird Do you have the angle drive used in 55 and 56 Birds? Make sure this works ok. I have heard that they can break internally.

06-21-2011, 12:09 PM	#6
franksford Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Rockford Michigan Posts: 190	Re: 1955 Thunderbird Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) The T85 gear on the output shaft were known to have problems after years of use. This transmission was first used in early 50s Mercurys so that uses a merc part number. That gear mounted on the output shaft has a reverse cut from other drive gears so there is none that inchange that i know of. If your still stuck call me i may be able to help, i hate typing. Frank (616) 874-1224