Due to work related appointments, I did not make it to the garage before 6:30pm tonight. I started right away with refitting the Facet fuel pump and Malossi filter/regulator that I took out yesterday and verified the engine will start. Fast idle had to be adjust slightly and it was good to see that the Autochoke is doing its job. At this point I really should have done a test drive. But I neither have a working tachometer nor speedo.
Therefore I quickly wanted to add the new speedo drive cable and oil pressure line I got a couple days ago. The package was in customs for weeks. As somebody that loves British cars and relies on spare parts from the UK – Brexit obviously just sucks from my point of view.
Because I could not find the adaptor for the oil pressure line that was replaced when the car was at the Technical Inspection in Solingen – I started of with the speedo cable. Sounds straightforward and normally is – if I wouldn’t have decided to add a sensor for a Brantz International unit I intend to use for some events in the future. There are several sensors to choose from. In the MGB I have wheel sensor. It works great but I had to remove the brake backing plate (not optimal). After fitting the HiSpec brake calipers on the front suspension of the Morgan I opted for a gearbox sensor. In hindsight I should have gone for the prop shaft sensor. Long before I was able to do a testfit I ordered a Ford T9 adaptor and the gearbox sensor from Brantz. The sensor comes with an M18 thread at the end – which meant I also needed a new speedo cable. I tried a few places in Germany to get one – but Richfield Speedograph the UK is the best address if you need stuff like this.Speedograph Richfield, specialist automotive accessory manufacturers for all your classic car needs (speedograph-richfield.com)
What I did not think about what the length of the Brantz sensor. It sticks out a bit more than I had hoped for. The result is that the new speedo cable cannot be attached through the hole in the gearbox tunnel. Oh well… What are the options? Sure: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.
- Cutting a bigger hole in the gearbox tunnel
Besides the additional work it doesn’t cost me anything. I might be able to finish it this weekend. Downside: Normally the speedo cable is hiding underneath the leather cover of the gearbox tunnel. There is a limit on the bending radius of the speedo cable – so it will cause an issue with the leather cover. - Fitting an angle drive
Richfield Speedo also supplies the best angle drives – pretty much for any application but especially for Ford T9 gearboxes. As a matter of fact, I used one on the MGB before. They work – but are not optimal and should be avoided when possible. They also are quite expensive and due to customs delivery would take quite a while.
- Switching to an electric Smith speedo unit.
With a bit of luck, I could even use the signal from the Brantz sensor. Conveniently, I already have added additional cables to my wiring loom for this. Downside: The unit costs quite a bit of money, delivery will take a while and there is uncertainty on the Brantz sensor.
Alright – the question is: which solution above is the Good, Bad or Ugly? Leave me a comment on your opinion please 🙂
Fixing C6622 
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