MY1977 Contis and TCs: What Speedo do you have?

[Dan Szwarc]

So in summary, In October 1976, Continentals (not Marks) were shipping with 120 speedos. By December, 1976 they were shipping with 85 speedos.

[Dermot]

So in summary, In October 1976, Continentals (not Marks) were shipping with 120 speedos. By December, 1976 they were shipping with 85 speedos.

Good work!

[Dan Szwarc]

It's good to gather this information now. If things go my way, I'll be changing out my speedo for a 120 if I can get my hands on the 75 Lincoln down the street

[58limited]

A little late but here's mine:

Date: 8/76
Motor: 460
Speedo: 120
Model: Continental
Body: Coupe

[kellyz]

It really seems odd that they would go to the expense to make a different speedo for only a few months of cars as they completely redesigned the dash for 1978.

Dan, if you put the 120 speedo in an 85 speedo car, I wonder if you will have to have the gear from the 120 cable that goes into the tranny. And what about the speed sensor for the cruise control. I wonder if either of these would be any different between the two?

[Dan Szwarc]

It really seems odd that they would go to the expense to make a different speedo for only a few months of cars as they completely redesigned the dash for 1978.

All that Ford would have to change is the numbers and the label on the drum. they may have done it as part of the appearance of being more fuel economical (even though nothing else changed). And right now, it seems the change occurred early in the production (November 1976) so most of the model year was still left. It also could have been a change that was supposed to start in Sept. 1976, but for some reason was late. It could have been part of a supplier change or redesign to save money. The possibilities are numerous.

Dan, if you put the 120 speedo in an 85 speedo car, I wonder if you will have to have the gear from the 120 cable that goes into the tranny. And what about the speed sensor for the cruise control. I wonder if either of these would be any different between the two?

I would expect to have to change the speedo gear at the end of the cable only. I would hope only the gear on the end is all I'd have to change. if the driving gear in the transmission is also different, that would put a big kink in my plans as I just had the tranny rebuilt and wouldn't pull it just to change a gear for the speedo.

It's just a thought right now. i don't even have the parts car yet. It still sitting in my neighbors driveway (I haven't given him a low-ball offer yet).

As for the cruise, I doubt I would have to change anything. when you set it, you set it at the speed you are driving. It doesn't care if the speedo reads 30 or 50. It just locks it in.

[Barry Wolk]

I don't think you'd have to change anything as the speedometer only reacts to revolutions per minute, and that wouldn't change. You can drive faster than the 85 mph speedo so the gearing is irrelevant. A simple part number check of the speedo cable will prove this out if someone has a parts book for '76 and '77.

[Dan Szwarc]

I've got the parts books. I've never thought to look it up. Thanks for the suggestion!

[dcm5652]

Dan if I understood you, you are wanting to replace the face only, If so check the part # for the gear-head in the speedometer as I would think that this would be different because the needle is traveling to a different position for the same speed reading.

[Barry Wolk]

No needle, it's a scroll bar.

[Dan Szwarc]

The 70 to 77 Continentals (not Marks) and Town Cars use a rotating drum assembly with a magnifying glass focusing on a thin slice of the image on the drum. It ends up looking like a column that increases from left to right. I'll post a pic someday.

[dcm5652]

I stand corrected, thanks Dan, are you planing on changing the whole speedometer head or just the face-plate? I am thinking that the scroll points at the same speed would be in a different location on the two speedometers.

[Dermot]

A little late but here's mine:

Date: 8/76
Motor: 460
Speedo: 120
Model: Continental
Body: Coupe

A friend of mine, from whom I bought my 1977 Town Car, bought new a 1977 Buick Century as a newlywed. It was made in April 1977 and had an 85mph speedometer.

[Dan Szwarc]

As one can see from the diagram, there are a few different numbers one could change. PN 10887 is the cover with the numbers on it (note that it says "miles").

this PN list does not identify any build date info related to this PN.

This list appears to be the speedo drum assembly itself (the actual indicating mechanism):

Speedometer Ass'y

For some reason, there is no listing for a speedometer ass'y for 1973 to 1976 D Continentals!

[Barry Wolk]

Here's a picture of mine.