New Getrag 5 Speed - No Speedometer

[dmac442]

Folks,

Thanks for the many suggestions - you guys are great. I just finished putting my rebuilt engine back in with a Getrag 5 speed. Minor tweaks stil required on the valves, but engine is running strong and the Getrag is soooo much nicer.

My only issue is I have no speedometer. Can anyone point me in the right direction? The orginal 4 speed cable connects to the tranny but does not move the speedometer. Do I need a differenent cable for the 5 speed? I say that b/c it looked like the cable end was not long enough to go all the way into the Getrag - just a thought, no idea...

Can someone help?

Thanks - Dave

[nhopel]

Have you put in the right angle drive this may help with the lenth issue

[dmac442]

No - I haven't installed that - is that a common requirement?

[nhopel]

it will add about 6in to the total lenth and take the bind out of the bend

[dmac442]

I guess a order to OGTS is in order - many thanks!

[heimue]

I rather suggest to use a longer speedo cable. Use one for an automatic model, they are just the right amount longer.
Make sure to have the right color gear in the gear box, to show the correct speed on the speedo (use the search to find more information).

Dieter

[dmac442]

Dieter,

Thanks fro the suggestion - I had a great conversation with Dennis over at OGTS and he stated the same. So I ordered one up - $38 for the cable is a far cry from $117 for the 90 angle assembly.

Thanks - Dave

[dmac442]

Folks,

Two speedometers, two cables, same result - a speedometer reading that says 20 mph when I'm going 65.

At this point I can't tell what gear could be the problem - I'm thinking both speedo and trans - Getrag.

I have this car singing, but I can't tell how fast I am going. Anyone have any suggestions? This is plain annoying. I have to take a GPS with me when I drive it.

I'm about ready to put JB weld on each gear b/c I'm that Ted-off.

[markandson]

Originally Posted by dmac442 Folks, Two speedometers, two cables, same result - a speedometer reading that says 20 mph when I'm going 65. At this point I can't tell what gear could be the problem - I'm thinking both speedo and trans - Getrag. I have this car singing, but I can't tell how fast I am going. Anyone have any suggestions? This is plain annoying. I have to take a GPS with me when I drive it. I'm about ready to put JB weld on each gear b/c I'm that Ted-off.

Your problem might be the speedos themselves and not the gear at all. Take a loose speedo cable if you have one, or disconnect the one you have from the tranny and connect a variable speed drill to it, running in reverse if I remember correctly. You should get a reading on the speed and be able to vary it with drill speed. If you find that the speedo is the problem it is the small needle that runs in a plastic bearing inside that is the problem. You have to uncrimp the ring in order to take the speedo apart, there are threads here on the subject if you have never done one. BTW the proper gear for the Getrag is the blue one.

[wrench459]

Look under the opel blitz on the speedo.
From the info I got you're running a 70 calibration ie w=897 correct?

[dmac442]

I have the original 70 speedometer (plus another 70' I had laying around) and the 73 speedometer (bought from opels unlimited) Both speedos' (original 70' and 73) needle bounces and is completely inaccurate. I looked at the getrag speedo geer and it looks like it's diameter is larger that the cable end (blue gear on tranny).

I looks like the cable is slipping somewhere - My guess is at the gear, but at this point this is the only part I haven't tried replacing.

Any thoughts?

[hrcollinsjr]

Originally Posted by dmac442 Anyone have any suggestions? This is plain annoying. I have to take a GPS with me when I drive it.

I'd gladly trade a correct late model speedo for your GPS, maybe even two! What are friends for right?

Harold