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Smiths reliability
The ammeter post got me thinking of something related, so instead of high jacking that thread, I started this one.
How reliable have your Smiths gauges been? Any trouble with them and if so, what's the trouble? Thanks! |
The original Smiths speedometer gauge in my SPF lost trip reset function right before I bought it used and then with just over 1500 miles on the odometer the speedo broke. The trans gear, cable etc is was all fine, but the gearing internal to the speedo locked up and when that froze it took out the little plastic gear in the right angle reverse adapter that attaches to the speedo head :(
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My speedo jiggled and I removed it because the odometer would not reset.
Fixed by Olthoff, who apparently can fix anything, even Smiths. Those guys are amazing. Like Paul Newman said in the cult classic 'Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid' film, "who are those guys?" A high quality imitation of a Smiths, see the Kirkham offering active on this forum now, would fit into my REPLICA SPF quite well. http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/show...609#post689609 Ciao, Chilibit |
My oil pressure gauge needle started to stick after 8K miles. Eventually it got so bad I had to rap the glass with my knuckles to get it to register properly. It has since been replaced (with another Smiths, for originality's sake).
Personally I feel that Auto Meter makes a superior gauge, but you have to consider the fact that these cars vibrate quite a bit and are exposed to more elements (heat, cold, moisture). It's a fairly harsh operating environment for any gauge, regardless of manufacturer. -Dean #747 |
The trip reset on my dancing speedometer just went out too. Any fix other than replacement?
I've heard of some sort of support around the driveshaft loop that will stop the speedo from shaking. Anyone tried that? Not sure why and haven't seen it before, or what started it, but this weekend, my fuel gauge starting shaking too. And it's not even as caffeine-addicted as its driver! |
Lost the Smiths Oil Temp. Can't really blame them though as I think I probably kinked the sending line. Repaced it with an AutoMeter, works well and as a much better lighting system. I can actually read this one at night.
I will eventually replace all gauges with AutoMeters. Jim SPF 1855 |
My tach is AutoMeter, was that way when I got it. Seems to work very well, and to be honest (a little embarrassing), I had no idea that it wasn't a Smiths until the other week. I looked up the pricing, Smiths are about 2 times the price, whats up with that?
James |
According to Olthoff Racing, my odometer reset being inoperative required a minor nudge in alignment inside the case. I am guessing it is a cheap and easy fix. Almost a hand across the counter, fix , hand it back. But where to nudge. Mine was warranty. My last Smiths were a 1967 MGB. I sense that the genetic linkage is intact. That's forty years for Pete's sake. Faithful to the bitter end. No the SPF was not a gift, I bought it. Guess I should shut up.
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I sent all my original Smiths guages to a rebuild shop I found in Hemmings Mtr. Nws. The proprieter was a crabby old bird who's work was impeccible
The guages returned looking brand new even though they had been installed in the car in 1960. Rock steady on both the tach and the speedo while the oil prsr., vlt mtr., fuel guage and temp guage performed flawlessly. They cleaned the faces as well as polishing the bezels and the lenses. I think I paid about $150 for the checkout/repair job. I never had a single problem with any of the guages after they got the once over. |
My Smiths are 5500 miles/5years old and the only problem I have had was with the ammeter. All others have performed flawlessly.
Bud:JEKYLHYDE :JEKYLHYDE :JEKYLHYDE |
Adding everything up, sounds like every gauge has been a problem, at least for someone. In other words, each one had a problem with a different gauge. Perhaps the answer would be to replace all (as they fail) of the except for the tach and speedo for Autometer or VDO. Why not replace the SMITHS tach and speedo? Cause they're so cool. . . thoughts?
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I'll repeat what I said earlier:
"...you have to consider the fact that these cars vibrate quite a bit and are exposed to more elements (heat, cold, moisture) with an open cockpit. It's a fairly harsh operating environment for any gauge, regardless of manufacturer." Said another way, even an Autometer gauge is set-up for failure trying to operate in a tough situation. HOWEVER, Autometer does, without a doubt, make a better gauge and I'm sure at some point (when the next Smiths craps out) I'll take the plunge and spend 4 bills and replace them all with Autometer. |
My oil temp has never worked.
The speedometer bounces and I've found that when it reads 52 mph it will give me a video radar ticket for 60. :LOL: How do you fix the bounce in the speedometer? I've never really thought about it. |
12K miles - not a single problem with my gauges.
Bouncing speedo is usually caused by a bent speedo cable. Sometimes, just a removal, add grease, reinstall - that will sometimes fix problem. |
I took my spf to a speedo shop in town here. He ripped the cable from the back of the speedo gearbox measured the length and made a new one that was beefer. Took about 30 minutes and not a problem since. Been 18 months and no bounce. The rest of the gauges are crap and sitting in a cabinet in the garage. Replaced by cheaper gauges that work and I can see them at night.
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Knock on wood!
Are the new Smiths for SPF electronic? I have mechanical Smith's that have worked since 1985, well the temp gauge was shot when I purchased the car because the previous owner strapped the sending tube to frame across from engine. As the engine rocked, the frame didn't, so it broke the tube evacuating the gas charge. So for me it's one Smith temp unit in 21 years time. Jeff |
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