Author Topic: speedo and odo calibration  (Read 8415 times)

Rodolfo

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speedo and odo calibration
« on: February 23, 2014, 18:13:02 »

To make my odo/speed correct I have some issues:

I have a 230 SL from 66.

I am thinking of changing the differential ratio from 4,08 to 3.46 or 3.25.

I know my car is a US model. They changed the indicator plate of the speedo to European: so speed is correct now for the 4,08, but odo is 1,6 off.


If I change now the ratio to 3.25 or 3.46 will there be a solution to have the speed/odo corrected (Palo Alto)? Or too many combinated changes now? Most important would be speedo.

I prefer if it would be a solution in Europe, but if necesessary I will ship the Speedo to US.

best regards, Rudy

Rodolfo

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Re: speedo and odo calibration
« Reply #1 on: February 25, 2014, 10:16:01 »
Not any help or comment?

 :-[ Rudy

Peter van Es

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Re: speedo and odo calibration
« Reply #2 on: February 25, 2014, 10:38:01 »
Try these people in Utrecht… I've used them for rally instruments, but not for my speedo.

http://www.casuutrecht.nl/dashboard_instr_dashboard.htm

Even googelen: http://vanputtenandson.nl/van-putten-and-son/nl/index.php

Peter
1970 280SL. System Admin of the site. Please do not mail or PM me questions on Pagoda's... I'm not likely to know the answer.  Please post on the forum instead!

garymand

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Re: speedo and odo calibration
« Reply #3 on: February 26, 2014, 22:24:18 »
The guys in Palo Alto are very helpful.  give them an email and they will tell you what should be done.  Maybe y0u can get it done in Eur without shipping anything to the US.
Gary
Early 250SL German version owned since 71, C320, R350, 89 Porsche 944 Turbo S

GGR

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Re: speedo and odo calibration
« Reply #4 on: February 28, 2014, 21:30:27 »
One option you have is to fit back a mph fascia so that odometer and speedometer are correct in miles. Then you fit a ratio adapter in series on the cable. It works well and will get both the odo and speedo read correctly.

On a 230 I would go with a 3.46 rather than a 3.27. It will be easier for you to find in Europe and a 3.27 may really bee too much for the weaker torque of the 230. with a 3.46, it will also be easier for you to source a speedo in km out of a 111 coupe or a 113 that was equipped with the same ratio.

Have you considered keeping your current rear end ratio and fit a Getrag 265 with overdrive? This would keep all the sporty feeling of the 4.08 with the 230 engine and the 5th being 0.81, it would be equivalent to a 3.30 rear end in 4th. Quite nice on the highway. The speedo cable drive is different in the Getrag, so you would need to fit a ratio adapter for the speedo to read correctly.

Rodolfo

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Re: speedo and odo calibration
« Reply #5 on: March 01, 2014, 10:07:26 »
Hi GGR

I seriously consider a 265 Getrag as well. I have two concerns there:

- the BMW 265 Getrag with overdrive are a bit scarse to find maybe ?
- what happens to the value of the car in that case ?

Could I do the work on my own or I need 4 hands?

many thanks, Rudy

GGR

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Re: speedo and odo calibration
« Reply #6 on: March 01, 2014, 15:59:30 »
I think you will have it easier to find a Getrag 265 in Europe than a 3.27 rear end (specific to the US market). I would guess that finding a 3.46 or a 265 would be the same level of difficulty. Many many BMWs were fitted with Getrag 265s so they should not be that hard to find. Get on some BMW forums. They are very strong transmissions. You would need to get one with the speedo drive. It is better to pay a little bit more for a known low mileage transmission than one that needs some work. Then just replace input, output and shifting shaft seals and you're good to go.

Swapping a rear end is less work than fitting a Getrag 265. However, you would most seemingly need to at least reseal the rear end and replace the center pivot bushing as well as the center boot. This would bring the work involved quite close to the one needed to fit a Getrag 265. Both jobs are doable on your own, and Mark Turnbull has developed a nice adaptation kit for the Getrag.

Both swaps are reversible, and do not require any structural modification. So in terms of value, I guess it will all depend on the buyer. I would personally value a 5 speed trans more than a rear end swap, especially on a 230. The 230 is a very lively and sporty engine and the car will be much better to drive with a 5 speed and a stock rear end ratio than a 4 speed and a different rear end ratio. Of course this is according to my personal taste, so I guess it's a bit subjective.

The five speed, together with electronic ignition, is part of the upgrades that make the cars of that era more enjoyable and more trouble free in todays traffic conditions and make long distance trips a real pleasure, while keeping all the peps on twisty mountain roads.
 
« Last Edit: March 01, 2014, 16:19:46 by GGR »

Rodolfo

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Re: speedo and odo calibration
« Reply #7 on: March 02, 2014, 09:45:05 »
Hi GGR,

your point of view makes a lot of sense. Although of course my rear axle is already taken from under the car, due to another problem. But that had to be done anyway.

But having 5 speed overdrive instead of 4 speed with a long diff. would be propably better. I am looking around to see if spotting a 265 is not too hard. Want to be ready in a few weeks, because driving season starts.

best regards, Rudy

Rodolfo

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Re: speedo and odo calibration
« Reply #8 on: March 03, 2014, 09:06:33 »
I am probably able to have a 265 Getrag overdrive (found one)

But I have some questions in that case:

1)What would be a correct price?

2)Should I let the Getrag overhaul to be sure? What would that cost?

3)Then I probably stick better to the 4,08. Or is 3.75 even better then?

4)Is the tunnel of the 230 SL big enough?

5)What are the coordinates of Mark Turnbull? It seems he has a conversion kit available.

best regards, Rudy

Garry

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Re: speedo and odo calibration
« Reply #9 on: March 03, 2014, 11:54:15 »
The price for the correct and a decent 265 should be around the $600 - 800 dollars
For that price it should be in decent condition.  They are known for being pretty tough gear boxes and should not need overhaul
Stick with the 4.08.  I changed my rear axle as well as the Getrag in my 280SL and it was too highly geared.
The Getrag will fit in the tunnel, Mark Bull’s adaptor kit has a new gearbox support plate included but you will need some other parts like BMW mounts, speedo drive, shorter tail shaft and a couple of other items that are all detailed in Mark’s kit.

Mark Bull contact is  http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?action=profile;u=2175

Garry
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Rodolfo

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Re: speedo and odo calibration
« Reply #10 on: March 03, 2014, 13:18:11 »
Gary,

many thanks!

Only problem now is that his emailbox seems to be full :-(

Rudy

Garry

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Re: speedo and odo calibration
« Reply #11 on: March 03, 2014, 21:04:36 »
Rudy,

I wont publish it here but if you look at his profile, it will give you his personal email address in there to send a message to.

Garry
Garry Marks
Melbourne/ Kyneton, Brisbane. Australia
1969 MB 280SL 5 speed RHD SOLD.
1965 MB 230SL Auto RHD Lt Blue 334G, Top 350H, Tourist Delivery.
1972 MB 280CE Auto RHD 906G
2005 MB A200
2006 MB B200
2019 Izuzu DMax 4x4 Slide-on camper.
2022 Volvo XC40 Electric
2024 Volvo EX30 Electric

GGR

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Re: speedo and odo calibration
« Reply #12 on: March 03, 2014, 21:22:56 »
stickandrudderman was working with him to further develop the kit. You may contact him too.