69 Cutlass Speedometer removal and replacement

[70 ctls]

Ok I'm feeling a little stupid here and need your help. Need to replace a broken speedo and for the life of me can't figure the sequence of parts needed to be removed to get the job done. A 70 cutlass is sooo easy but I was left scratching my head with my son's 69 cutlass. Anyone who can help would be deeply appreciated

[2blu442]

There was a thread on this recently. You have to go in from the back and there are two small bolts, I believe I used a 1/4" open end wrench to take them out, one near the 4:00 position and one near the 8:00 position. Once those two bolts are out I gently worked it out the front trying to not snag it on the vinyl of the dash pad. Mine was a floor shift, if you have the column shift automatic then you also need to remove the thin wire that goes from the column to the speedo pod. It may be Friday or Saturday before I could post some photos, but I have a 1968 dash in the garage, I could take photos of the back so you guys could see where these fasteners are. It really does help if you have small hands and maybe an extra elbow joint added in! John

[mitsudave]

To get the gauges out of a 69 you have to go up under the dash and remove the small bolts holding them to the backside of the dash. They are 1/4 inch hex heads, and I use a 1/4 inch drive ratchet with a short extension and a nut driver.

[2blu442]

OK, I took some photos today of a 1968 Dash that I have in my garage. The 1969 gauge pods are the same. I don't know how many photos I can post here, so I'm just posting the link. To view the photos please go to my photobucket site, thats:

http://s90.photobucket.com/albums/k257/2blu442/

Let me know if you still have any questions after viewing the photos. Also, the speedometer cable is held in place by a spring clip, you can see it in the last photo. You press in on the clip at the 6:00 O'clock position and pull out on the cable. John

[ct1979]

I have a question about the electrical connector on the back of the speedometer. Mine looks like it is broken off of the green circuit board. Do I replace the entire assembly or can I just replace the circuit board?

If I were to change the entire speedo, could I put the 442 one in without having to do any other modifications to allow it to work?

Thanks

[2blu442]

There are pins soldered onto the circut board, they break off really easy. I've not tried to repair one yet, I've just replaced the complete speedometer pod. I've been told that you can re-solder the pins back on or change out the circut board. I believe that the Cutlass or 442 speedometer pod from 1968 or 1969 would fit without any modifications. Just verify that the replacement unit has the correct number of pins in the right location. John