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Author Topic: 78 TA Correct Speedo  (Read 8414 times)

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Offline v8nut72

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78 TA Correct Speedo
« on: March 26, 2008, 02:51:52 PM »
I've been reading a few threads and just wondered as to which speedo my 78 should have? It's got a 160mph in it but if it's not original then that would mean the mileage is bogus.  :-\
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Offline brian c

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Re: 78 TA Correct Speedo
« Reply #1 on: March 26, 2008, 02:55:34 PM »
Nope not original to the car. It should be a 100 mph I think (might be 120). White and blue markings. No trip odometer and two warning lights at the bottom - seat belt and brake.

Now its entirely possible the mileage is accurate *IF* the person who did the swap took the time to adjust the mileage on the 160mph speedo to match that of the original one taken out. It's anyone's guess if that person did it or not...
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Offline v8nut72

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Re: 78 TA Correct Speedo
« Reply #2 on: March 26, 2008, 03:17:57 PM »
Oh Bollocks! >:( Do you know of anyway to check correct mileage from state titles or anything like that? Dealer said the mileage was documented from Arizona Dept of motor vehicles.
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Offline Hoss T/A WS6

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Re: 78 TA Correct Speedo
« Reply #3 on: March 26, 2008, 03:20:26 PM »
What did the 160 MPH come out of then? I also have a 78 with a 160 speedo in it and if its not original than for re-sale the title work gets funky because it does not have the original speedo in it. I mean i am not planning on getting rid of it, but when its all done and HAD to sell it, than that is not cool.
« Last Edit: March 26, 2008, 03:23:43 PM by Hoss T/A WS6 »
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Offline WarbirdTA

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Re: 78 TA Correct Speedo
« Reply #4 on: March 26, 2008, 03:34:53 PM »
 8)
« Last Edit: April 15, 2008, 05:31:53 PM by WarbirdTA »
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Offline v8nut72

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Re: 78 TA Correct Speedo
« Reply #5 on: March 26, 2008, 03:42:30 PM »
Could the original owner have just replaced the speedo face? Then just changed the gear in the tranny to keep the speed reading correct?
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Offline ta78w72

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Re: 78 TA Correct Speedo
« Reply #6 on: March 26, 2008, 05:47:35 PM »
What about the Tach?  Is that original?  Didn't the 160 speedo come with an 8K tach?  I guess your car might not have the rally gauges...I assume it does.

Chances are they swapped the entire cluster.  I really doubt just the face was swapped.  The mileage is probably not correct.

The correct speedo is 100mph.
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Offline logikfive

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Re: 78 TA Correct Speedo
« Reply #7 on: March 26, 2008, 07:40:29 PM »
Quote from: WarbirdTA on March 26, 2008, 03:34:53 PM
160 mph speedos came in all Firebirds from 1970 to 1974.
Some had 2 idiot lights on the bottom, some had 3.

George  8)

You mean one and two, right? "Fasten Seat Belts" and/or "Brake". Never heard of one with 3.
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Offline WarbirdTA

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Re: 78 TA Correct Speedo
« Reply #8 on: March 26, 2008, 08:14:21 PM »
  8)
« Last Edit: April 15, 2008, 05:30:21 PM by WarbirdTA »
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Offline Hoss T/A WS6

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Re: 78 TA Correct Speedo
« Reply #9 on: March 26, 2008, 08:46:17 PM »
Yea mine has a 6000 tach though. Is that correct? and i do not remember seeing any idiot lights!
« Last Edit: March 26, 2008, 08:49:19 PM by Hoss T/A WS6 »
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Offline Hitman

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Re: 78 TA Correct Speedo
« Reply #10 on: March 26, 2008, 09:44:24 PM »
Yes, the 160mph speedo stopped in 1974, but some leftover ones made it into the 1975 model year.  Not alot of them, but some did.  After that, they were all 100mph speedos'.
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Offline Hoss T/A WS6

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Re: 78 TA Correct Speedo
« Reply #11 on: March 26, 2008, 11:02:02 PM »
Thats interesting to know that!! I guess i will have to do some searching now!!
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Offline v8nut72

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Re: 78 TA Correct Speedo
« Reply #12 on: March 26, 2008, 11:09:12 PM »
Man, I'm starting to regret not doing more investigating before buying the car from that dealer. Tach is a 6k and it looks like the brake light is off to one side (right I think). Guess I'll have a few projects this summer.
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Offline Hoss T/A WS6

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Re: 78 TA Correct Speedo
« Reply #13 on: March 26, 2008, 11:38:27 PM »
Yea, i am not to happy to here that the speedo is not original. Now if i ever have to sell it, the resale will be lower because the TRUE MILES ARE UNKNOWN according to the BMV. This kinda sucks
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Offline RENOVATIONS

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Re: 78 TA Correct Speedo
« Reply #14 on: March 27, 2008, 01:33:11 AM »
I wouldn't think correct mileage would be much of an buying/selling issue on anything other than a "survivor" car.

When did the 8K tach stop being used?
It was used in production beyond the 160 speedo, yes?
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