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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Midget Speedo calibration?

I would welcome advice on rectifying the speedo on my '72 midget restoration, which is running approx 10mph slow!
R Clayton

First thing is to check that you have the correct speedo.

What is the max speed?

What are the numbers in the middle of the dial?
Dave O'Neill 2

Thanks for responding. Max speed is 100mph. The numbers are: SN6142/00 1472
R Clayton

Has it always run slow, or has this just started?

If it's just started, have you changed anything, -- the diff or the gearbox?
Lawrence Slater

that speedo is for a car with a 4.22 diff. Your '72 car will have a 3.9 diff ratio (unless for some oscure reason it's been changed). You need an SN6142/06A - 1376 speedo.
David Smith

Thanks for the information, David. I'll go looking for the one you describe!
R Clayton

I have managed to acquire the Speedometer suggested by Dave. I would now welcome any help in trying to rollback the mileage to the one I am replacing. The 'new' one reads 64,000+ and the one I am replacing reads 24,000+. Can anyone offer suggestions, or direct me to a previous thread?
R Clayton

If you are confident with taking it apart you could change the mileage by rotating the wheels. This document shows how they come apart:

http://obswww.unige.ch/~wildif/cars/docs/Smith-jaeger_speedo_repair.pdf

Jim
J Smith

an instrument rebuilder who seems to have a very good reputation is
RICHARD JENKINS, UNIT 49H, PIPERS ROAD, PARK FARM INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, REDDITCH, B98 OHU 07747 357044
David Smith

I can thoroughly recommend Richard...he's just down the road from me and he's a gent. Took my rev counter to be calibrated one morning and it was back next [and only because I was too busy to pick it up that same afternoon!]...for a fraction of the cost of "others"....
Dave
David Cox

Confirm comments about Richard Jenkins. Did a great job on my speedo.

However a previous speedo of mine needed to be reset as it had been jumping. An instrument techi removed the glass and the digits were reset with a bradawl used to push them round. I don't know which order they were reset in and whether they were turned forwards or backwards but it seems it can be down without stripping down!
Graeme W

As luck would have it, my speedo stopped working on Friday. Speed part is OK, but odometer and trip meter have gone AWOL. It happened as the odometer rolled over from 9999 to 10000.
The comments on here about Richard Jenkins prompted me to get in touch with him. He seems like a nice guy and reckons that it's a simple fix, so my speedo is being posted to him today.
He is also going to reinstate the correct mileage which was cocked up by the firm that did the recalibration. I'd asked them to keep the original mileage, but it came back zeroed. It caused questions to be asked at MOT time, so I had to show the receipt to the tester. Hopefully all will be well when it returns from Richard.
Bernie Higginson

Well, I sent my speedo off to Richard. He got it yesterday (Thursday). It's now Friday and it's back in the car,(returned special delivery),working perfectly and with the correct mileage reinstated. What a guy! And what a nice guy too. I thoroughly recommend him for any speedo work you may require.
Top man!
Thanks to David and all who recommended him.
Bernie Higginson

I think Richard does other instruments too!
Graeme W

indeed he does...when I was in his workshop he showed me temp gauges and all sorts..he'll also refill capillary tubes I believe..
David Cox

Hi David
I am reactivating this thread in the hope that you can go round to Mr Jenkins and reclaim my speedo for me. It's a never ending story and I am tired of dealing with his non-responsive attitude. It seems he has had a serious attitude change since people started recommending him. He may be a nice guy but his service is a joke.

please can you email me at dominic@clancy.ch

The full saga here in the MGA board
http://mg-cars.org.uk/cgi-bin/or17?runprog=mgbbs&mode=thread&access=&subject=6&source=T&thread=2019010916282415819

Thanks
Dominic
Dominic Clancy

Dominic...sorry but experience has taught me not to get involved in third party disputes. Good luck. Dave
David Cox

David

There's no dispute, I have paid for my gauge, I just want it picking up.
Dominic
Dominic Clancy

In the last month Richard Jenkins repaired and recalibrated my speedometer, turning it around in just over a week. returning it by next-day delivery. Excellent service and very good price. No probelms with communications or service whatsoever.
Graeme Williams

This thread was discussed between 04/09/2015 and 06/04/2019

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG Midget and Sprite Technical BBS is active now.