Issues and Challenges in Restoring Model T Ford Speedometers - Forum

There are various issues and challenges that can arise when restoring a Model T Ford speedometer, particularly with early models.

• One common challenge relates to the road gear, which is the gear attached to the wheel hub that drives the speedometer cable [1-3].

• Early Model T hubs were machined to accept the road gear and secured with three wood screws and brass spacers [4].

• However, these early hubs can be difficult to find, and if the correct hub is not available, the road gear must be carefully centred to avoid damage to the swivel, spokes, and other components [3, 5-8].

• A centring device is necessary for later models, as they lack the machined hub with pre-drilled holes for screws [3, 6, 7].

• Finding a centring device can be a challenge [3].

• One forum user suggested making a wooden spacer on a lathe to act as a centring bushing [6].

• Another issue concerns the speedometer head itself.

• Some early models have internal parts made of pot metal, which is a fragile alloy that can easily break [2].

• It is recommended to have the head and swivel professionally restored to ensure they function correctly and do not fail [9].

• Sourcing parts for these early speedometers, particularly swivels, can be difficult and expensive [8, 9].

• One user stated that a good swivel can cost around $125 at swap meets, while another expert claimed they cost almost twice that amount [8, 9].

• Beyond these mechanical challenges, there is also the issue of accuracy.

• While some restored speedometers can match the accuracy of a GPS device, this is not always the case [10, 11].

Overall, restoring a Model T Ford speedometer can be a complex and challenging process, requiring careful attention to detail, sourcing of specific parts, and potentially professional restoration services.