Lotus Europa Community
Lotus Europa Forums => Garage => Topic started by: Dilkris on Friday,August 20, 2021, 02:46:55 AM
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I am not there yet but planning ahead. :))
Reading through past speedo cable threads I see that the length and routing of these cables can be be problematic resulting in common and multiple failures. I remember reading somewhere that a 90 degree bevel drive assembly (fitted to the rear of the speedo itself) can be purchased which helps the routing of the cable at the rear of the dash.
My questions are, where can these 90 degree bevel drives be found (spitfire... :confused:) and in using one does it mean the speedo cable has to be shorter?
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These ones? . . a common MG (and others) item from what I understand.
https://mossmotors.com/angle-drive-speedometer-with-washer
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Yes !!! Those are they - anybody actually using one in a Europa who can vouch for the addition being effective ???
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As far as I know, it does not fit. The speedometer is male and the cable is female. So, obviously the input to the right angle drive needs to be male and the output female.
I have a right angle drive, but I had to have it made up. I also changed the gearing so the speedometer reads correctly. A company here in Texas supplied the drive.
I am sure there is a place in the UK that can do the same.
I attached is what I used. The right angle drive shown goes to the transmission end and I believe the threads are not correct to screw onto the speedometer and the cable.
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I can't comment on whether this particular angle drive works, but, it has a male and a female end so that won't be an issue.
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I can't comment on whether this particular angle drive works, but, it has a male and a female end so that won't be an issue.
From memory John, am I right in thinking you have a digital conversion of some kind on your car - brought about by continually failing speedo drives?
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I have a Smiths electronic speedo. There are several ways it can be triggered. I use GPS, But you can use a Hall-effect trigger and there is gizmo that goes where the speedo cable goes into the tranny and transmits a signal to the speedo (via wires). Because the plastic speedo gears in the tranny can self destruct, I prefer either the Hall-effect or the GPS methods. The Hall-effect method requires “edges” that the “reader” can detect and a place to mount the reader. That may or may not be a problem. The GPS method has some disadvantages because it takes time to find the satellites and is unusable under heavy tree cover and in tunnels.
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Yes, I have a Smiths electronic speedo (GT40 gauge). I did it because it is very simple to calibrate and very accurate. I used a Ford hall-effect sending unit that plugs right in to the Renault transaxle. It all works very well. I did not go with a GPS unit due to the fact it doesn't work in tunnels, can be confused in cities, and isn't accurate on hills. I have a GPS in all my cars for way finding and have noted all these issues over many years of use. GPS is, however, plug and play which could be attractive to some. It's also "reasonably" accurate most of the time.
Nothing wrong with mechanical speedometers. The ones in our cars are now very old and should be serviced before being put into use. I agree that angle drives are better than tightly bent cables. Don't assume a new angle-drive is properly lubed as I have seen a number of new ones fail. Buy from a reputable source and force some heavy oil in there before use.
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Upon further investigation, it seems the right-angle unit I linked to is intended to be fitted to an appropriate gearbox, not a speedo.
It seems I may have misled the house! - sorry chaps. :-[
Here's a pic of an MGB speedo with the right-angle drive on the back.
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Yes, I have a Smiths electronic speedo (GT40 gauge). I did it because it is very simple to calibrate and very accurate. I used a Ford hall-effect sending unit that plugs right in to the Renault transaxle. It all works very well. I did not go with a GPS unit due to the fact it doesn't work in tunnels, can be confused in cities, and isn't accurate on hills. I have a GPS in all my cars for way finding and have noted all these issues over many years of use. GPS is, however, plug and play which could be attractive to some. It's also "reasonably" accurate most of the time.
Nothing wrong with mechanical speedometers. The ones in our cars are now very old and should be serviced before being put into use. I agree that angle drives are better than tightly bent cables. Don't assume a new angle-drive is properly lubed as I have seen a number of new ones fail. Buy from a reputable source and force some heavy oil in there before use.
Is it possible to say which Ford hall effect sending unit plugs into the Renault transaxle JB, as im going down this route soon? Smiths do a nice Cobra range of speedometers and I may just have to go for one ;D
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I’m away right now but I’ll double check when I’m home.
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I’m away right now but I’ll double check when I’m home.
Thanks 8)
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I fit this one:
https://www.speedwaymotors.com/AutoMeter-5292-Hall-Effect-Speedometer-Sender-for-Ford-Trans,5273.html
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-2Z5djZf/0/X5/i-2Z5djZf-X5.jpg)
Been a while. I cut off the end with the hold down clamp and then trimmed the square drive pin to suit. Just slides in and the stock retaining bolt holds it in place.
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I fit this one:
https://www.speedwaymotors.com/AutoMeter-5292-Hall-Effect-Speedometer-Sender-for-Ford-Trans,5273.html
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-2Z5djZf/0/X5/i-2Z5djZf-X5.jpg)
Been a while. I cut off the end with the hold down clamp and then trimmed the square drive pin to suit. Just slides in and the stock retaining bolt holds it in place.
Great JB! I think I can get one of these or similar this side of the pond.
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These ones? . . a common MG (and others) item from what I understand.
https://mossmotors.com/angle-drive-speedometer-with-washer
I got this and it does not fit, The Europa cable end threads are about 1/2" and this is much larger :(
Any other ideas?
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I fitted a 90 degree adapter to the rear of the speedo, it does make a neater cable route. I had to use one because my drive goes in reverse. I used a speedo/instrument place in south Wales. speedy cables Abercrave Swansea www.speedycables.com
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I think the angle drive needed is a Smith part, the gauge manufacturer. The model numbers are something like BG2410 or BG2401 with a suffix denoting the plate that helps mount the angle drive to the specific tach (not really needed I think, or you can mod the plate or make your own...)
I decided not to waste time on the angle drive, and used info from another Europa owner who said he swapped the speedo and tach, then the cable runs to the speedo easily with no tight bends.
It was easy to do, just remove the two clamps on each gauge (from under the dash, no tools needed, just thumbscrews) and you can pull the gauge out of the front of the dash to get to the wires and cables without crawling underneath. If you want the trip odometer reset cable, you can remount it on the left of the dash or just leave it hanging under there.
Hope that helps!