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Speedometer Gear


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Guest apd6545
Posted

I have a 48 Ply Business Coupe and at some time it was changed from 16 inch to 15 inch wheels.  The speedometer is obviously off.  Would taking a speedo transmission drive gear from a 49 or newer Ply, work to correct the problem.  I believe that after 48 the Ply came with 15 inch wheels.  If it would work does anyone have a suggestions on were I could get the gear.

 

Thanks

Posted

Instead of changing the gear put your GPS in the Plymouth  You can run it on the battery in the GPS. You do not need to know where you are going but just need the GPS to calculate your MPH.  The corralate the speed on the dash unit to the GPS.  You might find out that the difference is not that far off and then just note what 50 is based onthe GPS against the speedometer.  Do this for several speeds such as 25, 35, 45, 50, 55 and 60 to get the adjustment numbers. 

 

If you do not have a GPS then have your wife follow you in a modern car. get on the highway and do 35 and get her reading via you cell phone conversation.  you will get close enought and then do the other speeds.

 

These are just suggestions.

 

Rich HArtung

Desoto1939@aol.com

Posted

A 48 plymouth would have come with 15s. What size tires do you have? So unless someone changed the rear end ratio you should be good on that.

Posted

I have a 48 Ply Business Coupe and at some time it was changed from 16 inch to 15 inch wheels.  The speedometer is obviously off.  Would taking a speedo transmission drive gear from a 49 or newer Ply, work to correct the problem.  I believe that after 48 the Ply came with 15 inch wheels.  If it would work does anyone have a suggestions on were I could get the gear.

 

Thanks

Are the new wheel and tires actually a different height? If not you don't need to change anything. 

Guest apd6545
Posted

According to the spec sheet the 48's came with 16 inch wheels and the 49 started using 15 inch wheels.  That explains why my speedo is running fast.  The question is will a 49 or new gear work in a 48 and does anyone know a source for the gear.

Posted

I've had a similar issue with my car, changed tire size and gear ratios, from what ive ran across Plymouth used either a 16, 17, or 18 tooth spedo gears. I have tried all three in my car and it seems that each gear reads about 10 mph slower than the next. So if your off by about 10 mph you might get by with just switching gears out. Currently i have the 16 tooth in my car and with 235/75/15 tires and a 3.73 rear end ratio it reads 10 mph slower than im actually going, i have not found a 15 tooth gear yet.

  • Like 1
Posted

According to the spec sheet the 48's came with 16 inch wheels and the 49 started using 15 inch wheels.  That explains why my speedo is running fast.  The question is will a 49 or new gear work in a 48 and does anyone know a source for the gear.

 

 What spec sheet is this? My 48 was a 76K mile junkyard car and it had 4 matching 15s on it.

Posted (edited)

For what its worth. 

 

Edit:  Apparently D-A, so chart removed.

Edited by shel_bizzy_48
Posted

If you look in the Parts Maunal on P 269 (in my copy), it specifies that certain size wheels were used, either 16 or 15 based

on serial number of the car,  but does not list the specific year timing.

 

 It was my understanding that tire size changed sometime

during the 1947 model year from 16 to 15.  My 47 came with what seem to be stock 16 inch wheels, so it must have been

an earlier model.    I haven't researched it as I run 1955 Chrysler wire wheels which are 15s and don't care which size was

original.  However, I have saved those original rims--just in case.  

 

My speedo is approximately 15 mph fast.......If it says i"m

going 50 -- I'm really only going 35.  Have used the GPS to check speed on occasion....and also the cell phone with

"now how fast am I going, Honey??" 

 

 So, I have just learned to live with the thing.  

 

 

 

           , 

Guest apd6545
Posted

I Have tried to respond, a number of times and I hit some key and everything disappears never to be seen again. Your web sit sucks. For most of the responses I received for my query, I have to say D-A applies. This used to be a good forum, does not seem so any more. I am sending this before I hit another key that wipes out the screens. To all the D A's that gave me advise on speed test, learn something about math. I know it is hard to follow a thread, But if you concentrate just a little you can make it through to the period

Posted

a 49 gear will probably work in a 48. If it has the same number of teeth as the 48, it won't change how far your speedo is off. You will need to know how many teeth are on the current gear and how far off the speedo is and which way to determine if you need a smaller or higher count gear. I can't pinpoint a manufacturer or direct source for a gear but someone here probably has one.

Different rear gear ratios, different size tires will take different gears for the speedo and who knows if the rear gear or trans in your car are both original. Replacement of either or both at one time in the car's life could easily lead to inaccurate speedo readings.

Posted

apd,

 

go to the tech tab on this site and look uunder reference for p15 and you'll see that all P 15's switched to 15" tires by Dec 1947. Your car has the correct wheels.

Posted

apd,

 

go to the tech tab on this site and look uunder reference for p15 and you'll see that all P 15's switched to 15" tires by Dec 1947. Your car has the correct wheels.

 

Yes I tried to tell him that too. He doesn't seem to believe us. I suspect all he really has is a 65 year old speedometer showing its age.

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