Speedo Conversion kmh To mph

[mrploppy]

I'm looking at options for adding mph to my kmh-only speedo for when I import my 460 to the UK. The options appear to be (from most to least expensive) - replace whole cluster, replace speedo dial (e.g. Lockwood), use stickers (e.g. from ebay), paint numbers on. I'm obviously favouring the last two, however I'm concerned because it looks to me like the speedo is backlit, and it's a requirement that the numbers be readable day and night. Can anyone confirm for me whether the speedo is backlit, and if so would the sticker/paint options still work?

[heyskull]

Replace the whole cluster is the easy option.
There is loads of 460s/440s in the scrap yards you will probably find one with a similar mileage.

SC

[Adi2727]

Not sure but it looks to me that you can just to replace the front black dial from the speedo. Or just the speedo itself. Every watch can be separately remove from the cluster.
Good luck!

[mrploppy]

Thanks for the pic. Where did you get it from?

[Adi2727]

Welcome!
The pic it's made by me, minutes before posting.
I changed some watches to my car also... the fuel gauge.

[carl4u44]

Yes you can change the backing of the speedo. Its not a big job but your still going to need the donor parts. At least you can keep the original mileage too.

[Adi2727]

Yeap... but the mileage will remain in km.
Either you will keep it in km and take care to not be fooled and remain without gas... either replace the whole cluster.

[mrploppy]

What do you think are the chances of being able to remove the speedo dial (and replacing it) without removing the whole cluster (which I believe involves removing the steering wheel)? I'm still hoping to somehow add markings to the existing dial without too much dismantling. Anyone have an opinion about my original backlight question?

[carl4u44]

You have a couple of choices here...

1) Remove the clocks and replace them with mph ones.
2) Remove the clocks, open it up and replace the sticker over the speedo.
3) Remove the clocks and draw on mph over your existing kph, though this would be stupid and look awful.

The second option is best, yes your mileage may be still be in KM but your speedo will be in mph.

Either way you will still need to get donor clocks (ebay) or the scrapyard, there fairly cheap.

In order to replace the speedo you need to remove the whole cluster. Then open it up and remove the middle speedo section.

You can remove the steering wheel if you want but not needed tho it will give you more working space.

Removal of the steering wheel is easy, if theres an airbag, diconnect the battery first then two torque heads either side behind the airbag or horn. Then the center nut in middle of wheel. If you do have an air bag be careful with the copper coil that plugs into it, as it can break if coiled wrong.

Remove clocks surround, then 2 screws either side and unplug the dash clocks out. You can then open the clocks by removal of many screws at the back but it's straight forward. There's many bulbs too, and I think 3 of them are for your back light. one for the rev, one for the speedo and one for the temp/fuel.

Its not a big job as I had mine in and out many times on the 480 in order to fix the info center.

If I'd lived near you, this would have been done yesterday.

[mrploppy]

Thanks for that very detailed reply. I suspect you're right about which option's best. Out of interest, what does the dial face consist of? You mention "sticker" - is this something that peels off? Or did you mean the whole of the face? I've seen others asking about what to do with peeling faces, but the answers suggested that it wasn't something that could be stuck back down.