The Ford Barn

PatrickTA · 04-13-2020, 09:37 AM

I am working on a 32 Ford Roadster that was turned into a hot rod back in the 50s.
customer wants a speedometer. I’m looking to put a mid 30-40s speedometer in it. (Let me know if anyone has one for sale)
The drivetrain is stock. Stock rear axle, model b engine.
So the driveshaft has the gear case for the early model a style speedometer cable.
My question is- simply is the speedometer cable the same for model a thru early v8?
If so that will make this a lot easier
Thanks

DavidG · 04-13-2020, 10:00 AM

Construction and material wise, yes, the period inner cables and casings are all basically the same, but the original lengths vary all over the map. The '32 version casing was 60.82" in length and the inner cable was 61.81" long.

TJ · 04-14-2020, 09:48 AM

Just curious, but if this '32 is basically stock why wouldn't you want to put a stock '32 speedometer back into the car?

supereal · 04-14-2020, 12:52 PM

I bought a NOS speedometer for my '47 from Bob's Speedometer. The original suffered damage when the car was in a salvage yard. They took it in trade, and my speedometer now matches the NOS clock. Their phone number is 1-800-592-9672.

Charlie Stephens · 04-14-2020, 01:29 PM

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I think you are going too find anything other than a stock '32 speedometer (or '33-'34 truck which is the same) is going to look crowded in the original instrument panel. I would leave the stock instrument panel alone and add additional gauges below the dash, around the steering column or in the right side kick panel. Try laying out gauges and I think you will see what I mean. Of course you could fill the dash and cut new holes or add an overlay but that is not my taste.

Charlie Stephens

04-13-2020, 09:37 AM	#1
PatrickTA Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Connecticut Posts: 37	Speedometer cable I am working on a 32 Ford Roadster that was turned into a hot rod back in the 50s. customer wants a speedometer. I’m looking to put a mid 30-40s speedometer in it. (Let me know if anyone has one for sale) The drivetrain is stock. Stock rear axle, model b engine. So the driveshaft has the gear case for the early model a style speedometer cable. My question is- simply is the speedometer cable the same for model a thru early v8? If so that will make this a lot easier Thanks Last edited by PatrickTA; 04-13-2020 at 09:47 AM.

04-13-2020, 10:00 AM	#2
DavidG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: southeastern Michigan Posts: 10,094	Re: Speedometer cable Construction and material wise, yes, the period inner cables and casings are all basically the same, but the original lengths vary all over the map. The '32 version casing was 60.82" in length and the inner cable was 61.81" long.

04-14-2020, 09:48 AM	#3
TJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Napa,California Posts: 6,029	Re: Speedometer cable Just curious, but if this '32 is basically stock why wouldn't you want to put a stock '32 speedometer back into the car?

04-14-2020, 12:52 PM	#4
supereal Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,634	Re: Speedometer cable I bought a NOS speedometer for my '47 from Bob's Speedometer. The original suffered damage when the car was in a salvage yard. They took it in trade, and my speedometer now matches the NOS clock. Their phone number is 1-800-592-9672.

04-14-2020, 01:29 PM	#5
Charlie Stephens Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern California Posts: 7,030	Re: Speedometer cable Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I think you are going too find anything other than a stock '32 speedometer (or '33-'34 truck which is the same) is going to look crowded in the original instrument panel. I would leave the stock instrument panel alone and add additional gauges below the dash, around the steering column or in the right side kick panel. Try laying out gauges and I think you will see what I mean. Of course you could fill the dash and cut new holes or add an overlay but that is not my taste. Charlie Stephens