Mechanical Speedo and Tach

[jimstone]

I may have found a really good deal on a set of new AutoMeter Traditional Chrome Gauges (http://www.autometer.com/cat_gaugedetail.aspx?ref=search&gid=3076). ("Good" as in a complete set for less than the retail cost of the speedometer.) The speedo is mechanical. How easily will this work with the V6 T5 combination?

[Jim E]

All the T-5s I have dealt with will drive a mechanical speedo but some only have the electric out put not that the mech gizmo will not fit. The issue is finding a speedo drive gear that will give you a correct MPH reading. The drive gears are not very pricey and I believe there is info on line on how to pick the best gear with your other info, but there are a limited number of choices and some of the more extrem tooth count gears may require a change in the gear that drives the thing.

The nice thing about the electric speedo is you push a button drive a mile push a button and it calibrates itself for correct MPH.

[jimstone]

Thanks Jim. Now that you mention it, I am pretty sure my T5 has an electronic output on it. (It is off of a 2002 Mustang 3.8) It may have the mechanical drive too, but I am 1000 miles away from it and can't be sure. The gauges are near where I am right now, but I was only going to gamble on this if it was too good a deal to pass up. I am a long time away from being able to use them and have better ways to spend my money. On the other hand, a full set for $85...

[v6jose]

Hi Jim,

Your transmission will accept the correct end for a mechanical speedometer. You will need to have your stock cable cut to length and a Ford end swedged onto it. Any speedometer shop can do that for you. Ford makes a 21 tooth speedometer driven gear, which will give you a 10% fast reading. That is the closest you can get, without having a gear reduction box made to suit your rear gear and tire diameter. The reason they can make only 21 teeth as the most teeth, is that if they were to make one with more teeth, the teeth would be too thin.

Having it read 10% over, can be a good thing, because you aren't as likely to speed when it reads faster. Since 10% is easy to figure out, you can know pretty colsely what your speed is.

Jose