Can anyone give me some information as far as what needs to be done to switch my regular non-ss speedometer to a ss speedometer? My car is a 1983 Monte Carlo non-ss v8 305. Do I need to rewire anything? or switch out anything on my car to make the gauges work? Thanks in advance.
monte carlo ss speedometer swap
- Thread starter la24lkr
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I'm guessing you have a big clock on the right? You'll obviously need to run a wire to the 'TACH' terminal on the distributor cap.
I wouldn't imagine that GM prescribed different sending units for the SS cars, but it wouldn't hurt to pick up a water temp and oil pressure sender from the parts store (for the SS car). I believe you may need to get a new speedo-drive gear, as your speedo currently prolly goes to 85, while the SS goes to 120 (am I right?). The other gauges oughta work though. However i have never done this swap; just trying to reason it out here.
Good luck!
I wouldn't imagine that GM prescribed different sending units for the SS cars, but it wouldn't hurt to pick up a water temp and oil pressure sender from the parts store (for the SS car). I believe you may need to get a new speedo-drive gear, as your speedo currently prolly goes to 85, while the SS goes to 120 (am I right?). The other gauges oughta work though. However i have never done this swap; just trying to reason it out here.
Good luck!
If all you’re changing is the speedometer, you will need to remove the dash face, the clear plastic lenses, the shift indicator (just let this piece set out of the way….you don’t have to remove the cable and completely remove it) and the black plastic piece that has the cut out for the gauges.
Remove the 3 screws that retain the speedometer and gently pull the speedometer forward. Once you get it out far enough release the clip that retains the speedometer cable. If the car is computer controlled there is a VSS (Vehicle speed sensor) plug in the back of the speedometer that is held in with a small screw that has to be removed…..I believe this is also used to provide the signal for the cruise control.
Reverse the procedure to get everything back together. The calibration for the speedometer to read correctly should be close if not right on. If the speedometer is off, change to the appropriate gear(s) in the transmission.
I just had the change the speedometer in the Wife’s last weekend…..it took about 1/2 hour.
If you're changing the whole cluster you'll still need to do the steps I listed abouve (up to actually removing the speedometer) to get to all the bolts holding the bolts to get the cluster out. The info on the senders and tack wire already given is correct.
Do a search on this site and it should come up with what specific wiring changes you need to make.
Remove the 3 screws that retain the speedometer and gently pull the speedometer forward. Once you get it out far enough release the clip that retains the speedometer cable. If the car is computer controlled there is a VSS (Vehicle speed sensor) plug in the back of the speedometer that is held in with a small screw that has to be removed…..I believe this is also used to provide the signal for the cruise control.
Reverse the procedure to get everything back together. The calibration for the speedometer to read correctly should be close if not right on. If the speedometer is off, change to the appropriate gear(s) in the transmission.
I just had the change the speedometer in the Wife’s last weekend…..it took about 1/2 hour.
If you're changing the whole cluster you'll still need to do the steps I listed abouve (up to actually removing the speedometer) to get to all the bolts holding the bolts to get the cluster out. The info on the senders and tack wire already given is correct.
Do a search on this site and it should come up with what specific wiring changes you need to make.
383Camino said:
You won't need a different drive gear. the only time you need to change that is if you swap rear end gears or go to a substantially different tire height. Also, your car should not be a VSS vehicle as mentioned by Mike P. You will have to run a wire to the TACH terminal on the distributor.
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