I've asked this question before but I'm hoping for a few more responses as I'm still "in the dark" as to what to do. Thanks to those who responded earlier, but please read on...

Background: The speedometer in my 81 242 is reading inaccurately. This is a US car that has had a Canadian B23E and the 4 spd + OD transmission that was attached to that engine installed about 3 years ago. Since then I've had an inaccurate speedometer. I'm not sure if it was reading accurately before that. Additionally, I recently had to replace the headlight switch in the dash and like an idiot forgot to disconnect the battery. Luckily, the only thing I shorted out were the lights that illuminate the instrument cluster at night, so I can't see how fast I'm going in the dark. So, I've got to replace the instrument cluster. This is the 85 MPH, clock-on-the-left instrument cluster, and has r0,980 at the bottom of the speedometer.

Here's my ultimate goal: I want to replace the existing instrument cluster with one that has the 120 MPH speedometer (of the correct ratio, of course) and the large tachometer to the left. How do I make sure I'm getting the right one?

Thanks,

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1981 242DL B23E 268K mi.

The instrument cluster is independent of the gear in the transmission. Just find the 120mph unit and change it out. I recently did this with my 82 245 when I had problems with the gear within the speedometer. Fortunately mine cluster already had a tach. Apparently the combination of the 120mph and tach are not easy to find.

Try a recycle yard for the tach. Any one from 1983 on should be OK, as long as the cylinder count equals your model. Be sure to get the small clock AND the 3-wire harness to connect it to the tach. That harness provides the clock with ground, power and lights.

The large tach should drop in where the clock is. Find a plug for the clock-setting thing.

Good Luck,

Bob

:>)

Try a recycle yard for the tach. Any one from 1983 on should be OK, as long as the cylinder count equals your model. Be sure to get the small clock AND the 3-wire harness to connect it to the tach. That harness provides the clock with ground, power and lights.

The large tach should drop in where the clock is. Find a plug for the clock-setting thing.

Good Luck,

Bob

:>)

The car that the engine/tranny came out of probably had a r0,960 speedo in it. So, you have two options considering you want to replace the speedo with the 120mph one anyway...

1) get a r0,960 120mph speedo.

2) get a r0,980 120mph speedo, and a r0,980 speedo GEAR for the transmission.

The speedo gear in the tranny is why your speedo is off right now. Good luck!

--

~ Richard - volvogeek ~
* 86 245 DL

Thanks, Richard. I figured something like that was the cause.

Any idea how much of a job it is to r&r the speedometer gear in the tranny? I'm afraid that's probably what I'm going to have to do, since the only r0,960 speedo I've been able to find so far is a kilometers-only type, no mph numbers on it.

Again, thanks!
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1981 242DL B23E 268K mi.