MY1977 Contis and TCs: What Speedo do you have?

[kellyz]

Interesting. I have Kilometers below the MPH. Probably because I have a Canada car.

[Barry Wolk]

That makes sense.

[Dan Szwarc]

Interesting. I have Kilometers below the MPH. Probably because I have a Canada car.

Can you post a nice clean pic like Barry did? I'd love to see it.

[Eddie Lives On]

Interesting. I have Kilometers below the MPH. Probably because I have a Canada car.

Can you post a nice clean pic like Barry did? I'd love to see it.

I'll post one when I get home in 2 hours.

[Eddie Lives On]

Here they are...

[Dan Szwarc]

Interesting. It appears to be printed onto the lens.

[kellyz]

Yep, that's what mine looks like. Sorry, I don't have the computer smarts to post a pick. Don't even have a digital camera.

[Eddie Lives On]

It's been stamped on the plastic, you can feel it when you drag your finger on it.

[kellyz]

I can't feel mine. Maybe my fingers are going to hell.

[Dan Szwarc]

Here's the diagram for the 73-74 instrument cluster. It is NOT valid for 75 and 76 in spite of what it says.

[Barry Wolk]

It's been stamped on the plastic, you can feel it when you drag your finger on it.

I'd say it was silk screened for limited production. That would produce a raised number, too.

[Dan Szwarc]

Actually, my guess is pad printed. The ink is possibly epoxy-based, if it existed back then. This produces a slightly raised ink-on-surface result.
Here's a demo. Skip to about 5:30 to see the process.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1gFAkj6OqY[/youtube]
Pad printing is how ink can be placed on a textured or curved surface. Basically, a flexible pad contacts a pre-cut screen of ink, picking up said ink, then contacts the part, transferring the image.

[Dan Szwarc]

More info. A 77 Sedan on ebay with a 120 speedo has a schedule date of 06M (December 6, 1976).

Considering the build date of my 77 which is January 11, 1977:

Dan's 1977:
Date: December 1976 (Exact date: January 11, 1977- Date code 11A)
Motor: 400
Speedo: 80
Model: Continental
Body style: Sedan

...we appear to have a switch date from 120 to 80 somewhere between December 6, 1976 and January 11, 1977.

Unless a vehicle made before December 6 shows up with an 80mph speedo or one built after Jan 11, 1977 shows up with a 120mph speedo.

[Barry Wolk]

Nice place for a rustproofing plug.

[Spot]

Your theory is still valid:

My one:
Date: April 77
Motor: 460
Speedo: 85
Model: Continental
Body style: Sedan or Coupe