By Goran Freske

The speedometer on the 1800s seems always to be a source of aggravation. The needle is either hunting all over the scale as for some elusive prey, or parked permanently in the lower left hand comer. Although the problem can stem from a number of sources, most often it is caused by, or eventually leads to, failure of the teeth of the plastic gear inside the overdrive. Our Jeff Perry recently try to rectify his speedo, and learned some interesting things in the process. This and the next page should provide some revelations into the mysteries of this device. By the way, there is a way around the "right angle drive". Volvo makes a longer speedometer cable (Part # 676696-8) that some of our members are using with great success. And another thing. To make your speedometer indicate the proper speed, you have to always either buy the tire size recommended for you model, or otherwise pay close attention to the outside diameter of tire if you decide to stray from the MOE. A comprehensive list of tire sizes vs. approximate overall diameters was provided on page 10 of the September 1997 issue of 1800 NEWS.

To: fap1800@aol.com

Mr. Matejka,

I recently purchased your D- Type speedo drive gear, pin 380-305 (19 tooth). Upon extracting the speedo gear from a '63 p 1800 we discoverd its gear to be p/n 380-164 (16 tooth). This '63 has a 4.10 rear-end. We then examined a '62 p 1800 and found its gear to be p/n 380-168 (18 tooth). Given both of these cars use the D- Type transmission, yet neither car has a 19 tooth gear, why is it you offer a 19 tooth version of the gear?

Thanks in advance,

From: blkhole!aol.com!FAP1800

 Jeff,

We offer a 19 tooth (380305) which is used on all D type overdrives with a 456 gear ratio. The gear in your transmission, the 16 tooth (380 164) is out of an automatic transmission. The correct gear for your car is a 17 tooth (380 166). The 17 and 19 tooth gears were the only ones used on the earlier models. The 19 tooth gear that you purchased from us will work, however it will offset the speedometer. We do have the 17 tooth gear (380 166) with the shaft for $45.00 used. You can return the our 19 tooth gear and use it as a credit towards the 17 tooth gear. Thank you. 

Duane