Replacing Speedo Dial from Miles to Kilometres - Printable

My Australian MG F has a Speedo in Miles, although the Odometer is in Miles that is no problem, what is a problem is that the Speed reads Miles / Hour.
The Speedo does have a Kilometre scale as well but it is smaller and not that easy to read. I am restoring the MG F for my grandson who is about to get his license and the small Kilometre scale would not be a wise choice.
Using a photo of a Kilometre Speedo (poor quality) I used it as a template and created in Photoshop a Kilometre Dial. 
I created 2, one with Miles as the odometer label and one with no label.
The Dial needs to be printed with a width of 11cm.
I then treated the printout by spraying a coat of "clearcoat" 
To punch the holes I used a couple of hole punches plus for the small holes (included rounded edges of the odometer slot) I used the blunt end of a drill bit which I ground flat.

Warning
When inserting the Needle back into the speedo care is needed to ensure that the needle goes into the correct position (into the plastic hole)
I accidently inserted the needle to one side which damaged the wire coils. If not confident inserting the needle then the alternative is not to remove the needle but put a slit in the bottom of the new dial
and go around the needle.

Before I removed the Needle I lifted the Needle over the stop pin and let it come to rest approx. 1cm passed the stop. This is the position I put the Needle back on after.
I removed the Speedo needle by carefully lifting it from under the centre of the Needle
Before glueing onto the Speedo, I marked  the outside of the old Dial the 0 , 60 and 100km/h marks. You then use these marks to line up the new Dial.
Before reinstalling the Speedo cluster I am going to test the speed using a GPS reading (Google Maps), I am limited to where I can drive the car at the moment as the car is unregistered.

I hope this helps someone.
BTW, The MG F spent the first 6 years in Britain before coming to Australia which explains the Mile/Hour Speedo.

 

 
Last Edit:1 month 1 week ago by SteeleGC
Last edit: 1 month 1 week ago by SteeleGC. Reason: Add Warning
The following user(s) said Thank You: neilpinleeds

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Replied by TA22GT on topic Replacing Speedo Dial from Miles to Kilometres - Printable

Posted 1 month 1 week ago #209273
That looks great! Very professional.
by TA22GT

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Replied by Delbourt on topic Replacing Speedo Dial from Miles to Kilometres - Printable

Posted 1 month 1 week ago #209327
As a matter of interest how difficult was it to remove the Perspex front cover from the cluster?
I ask as I would like to replace mine

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Replied by SteeleGC on topic Replacing Speedo Dial from Miles to Kilometres - Printable

Posted 1 month 1 week ago #209338
It is very easy there are 4 tabs that need to be carefully pushed in slightly.
The Perspex and a black surround comes off. I don't think you can split it any further

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Replied by Delbourt on topic Replacing Speedo Dial from Miles to Kilometres - Printable

Posted 1 month 1 week ago #209350
Great thank you for that

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Replied by Notanumber on topic Replacing Speedo Dial from Miles to Kilometres - Printable

Posted 1 month 1 week ago #209355
I remember the perspex cover coming off quite easily when i dismantled my instrument cluster few months ago to change the bulbs and add polished metal rigs around the speedo and rev counter

2003 TF 135 sunstorm

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It took me ages to get those chapter rings located properly & clearing the needles, particularly the water temperature. There was a lot of fitting, reassembly, stripping & starting again, to the point that having got it working properly I was taking the bloody thing to pieces again before it sunk in that it was working.
So removing the cover isn’t a problem unless you use a shovel.
M

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