Speedometer Question

Coltrane

Greasemonkey

Jul 6, 2020

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• Sep 19, 2024

• #1

Hey all, I currently have the stock 85mph speedo in my Monte. I won't be taking it over that, except at the track (hoping to trap around 115ish)...do I need to put a higher mph (I had a 140 in my last car) in? Just wondering if going faster than 85 for a bit will snap the needle off or not! Hahah.

 

69hurstolds

Geezer

Supporting Member

Jan 2, 2006

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• Sep 19, 2024

• #2

No. It’ll just max out. You won’t hurt anything if the cable holds up

 

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Coltrane

Greasemonkey

Jul 6, 2020

143

275

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• Sep 19, 2024

• #3

69hurstolds said:

No. It’ll just max out. You won’t hurt anything if the cable holds up

Click to expand...

Thanks!

 

SS_Malibu

Royal Smart Person

Supporting Member

Sep 27, 2021

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Mesa, AZ

• Sep 20, 2024

• #4

When I had the 85 mph speedo in my car, I've had the needle pointing straight down on more than one occasion. It didn't seem to go past that.

 

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69hurstolds

Geezer

Supporting Member

Jan 2, 2006

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• Sep 21, 2024

• #5

The needle will hit a physical limit stop at some point or the hair spring will get tight enough to not allow any further needle movement. It's not physically connected to the cable anyway, so there's no risk of it twisting off. Here's a cutaway of a typical setup. The only thing that will happen when the needle stops is the magnet to drum slippage goes to 100%.

 

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Ugly1

Royal Smart Person

Oct 26, 2021

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Lost in the woods of NH

• Sep 21, 2024

• #6

I know I have many times and others on here most likely have as well, without a problem.

 

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Ernest

G-Body Guru

Apr 28, 2016

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• Sep 21, 2024

• #7

I guess GM, by design had dummies(customers) in mind knowing that at least a hand full were most likely going to push it past the speedometer's displayed speed.

 

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Ugly1

Royal Smart Person

Oct 26, 2021

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Lost in the woods of NH

• Sep 21, 2024

• #8

Ernest said:

I guess GM, by design had dummies(customers) in mind knowing that at least a hand full were most likely going to push it past the speedometer's displayed speed.

Click to expand...

Almost all 60’s up have that style,probably early to. Have to remember that “55 saves lives” government and gas economy of the late 70’s through 80’s. All major highways were 55mph max and figured 85 was the most people would go.

 

69hurstolds

Geezer

Supporting Member

Jan 2, 2006

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• Sep 22, 2024

• #9

Ugly1 said:

Almost all 60’s up have that style,probably early to. Have to remember that “55 saves lives” government and gas economy of the late 70’s through 80’s. All major highways were 55mph max and figured 85 was the most people would go.

Click to expand...

And 85 was the most some of those cars back then COULD go at best. Like the Aries K...

 

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Wageslave

Royal Smart Person

Jan 25, 2017

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• Sep 22, 2024

• #10

Some cars were even designed with going past 85 in mind, while still being in compliance with having no speed past 85 displayed on the speedometer.

 

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