SBC 350 Speedometer???

I've got an SBC 350 with a th400 transmission. I was wondering what type of speedometer I need. The motor is an 84 and came out of a Camaro. Is it electric or mechanical and what year/years did they switch from mechanical to electric?

Also, how hard is it to convert a mechanical speedometer to electric? (If it's possible)

 

Camaros didn't come with 350s in 84 and all th400s are mechanical speedometer output. When th400s went to electric speedometer they also went to overdrive and morphed into 4L80Es. You need a good old fashioned mechanical speedometer and make sure your 350 isn't a 305.

good luck

 

I know it's a 350. I pulled it from a van but it wasn't the original motor in the van. The guy said he thought it came from a Camaro... the year could be off. So I do need a mechanical gauge though?

 

If it has a plug it is electric, if it has a place for a cable to screw in then its mechanical

Gary

 

Engine bears no weight on what speedometer you use, it's entirely the transmission and then the gear or the sender needs to be matched to your rearend gear ratio so it reads somewhere close to right going down the road. GM didn't go to electric drives until 1989-1990 depending on the vehicle line, I have an '89 Suburban that's mechanical drive yet. Like 1981-1989 cars with a computer, there is a VSS somewhere, a lot of them they made part of the speedometer, but if you're running an EFI of some sort there are aftermarket replacements so you can use virtually any cable driven speedometer.

Which, most US speedometers are designed to the same standard, so you can use virtually anything you want.

 

I don't really mean to be a smartass, but why don't you just go LOOK at it? Wouldn't that be quicker than asking here? We might mess with you...

 

It's quite clear in the answer. I'd really get on your case about reading closer but this time you spelled camaro right so it's free pass day

Good luck (and decode the block codes soon)

 

I guess I should expect at least one jackass comment here... LOL! I am new to all of this and wouldn't know where to look. I'm guessing right here...



I guess this looks to be electric... so I guess my question is if I get a vintage mechanical gauge is it pretty easy to convert to electric?

 

Nope. Wrong again. Look farther back. And that's Mr. Jackass to you, son...

 

Thanks Mr. JAckass... hehehehe! So is it electric... can you tell from the pic? It's not in front of me right now, but if I remember correctly there are electric wires hanging out right there.

 

Yep, it's under the tailshaft back there and looks like it takes a cable to me.

 

Good luck indeed. Yes, I can tell from the photo, and so could you if you'd look. The ratty, chewed off end of the cable is at the tailshaft (that's the back end, or tail, of the trans). That's your speedo drive. (edit) See, where the clamp is holding the round thing? That's it.

 

Thanks, Mr. Jackass. I appreciate the help. By the way... Flyin Brian was the gayest wrestler ever!!! LOL!

The only problem with "LOOKING" is you need to know what to look for. Not all of us are ancient and know everything all mighty hot rod god.

 

You found the either the electric kickdown or backup light switch and now need to find a chill pill.


Good luck!

 

Sometimes when I don't know something I find another car and look at it. Makes figuring things out a lot easier. Now you can't just look under any car for stuff specific to one or another... but they ALL have a speedometer cable until about 1990 or so. It's not like trying to figure out the mysteries of tuned port injection with umpteen different sensors to run it.

 

If you absolutely have to have a speedometer and can't get yours running you can use an electronic bicycle speedo

 

while you are trying to see the obvious and ragging on flynbrian for trying to help,please keep all children and pets away from the accident that's waiting to happen with that makeshift engine stand..yikes that's scary.
hope that cam laying in the dirt back there aint going back in.....just a little dust will eat a cam bearing.
now i'm probably mr. jackass 2...have a good engine building day....there were no 400's in 84 camaros either...

 

Sorry, I wasn't really being serious with FlyingBrian... and I DO appreciate his help. I've learned you have to have a sense of humor here.

The motor was only propped there for a minute... and I'm smart enough to stay the hell back from it. That cam just got replaced so it's not going back in.

I do know where to look now so I appreciate the help. This is my first project and am learning as I go.

 

all mechanical speedos in chevys line are all the same except the gear inside them, which compansates for the type of gear ratio your running or tire size. I just put a 700r4 in my 64 bel air and hooked the speedo cable to my stock speedo gauge and works perfectly fine and I lucked out on the correct speedo gear.

 

Pretty early on to call people gay here, what are you, about 12 years old? I usually don't call people names, but I may make an exception for you, asshole.

 

I just said I was joking around with you and giving you a hard time (like everyone else does me for being a new-b).

I'm 26 and am just trying to learn something about hot rods.

 

yes you can use an electric programmable speedometer on a trans that was intended for a mechanical one. VDO makes one as do others. They work great and you can actually get them to read the right speed.

 

Thanks dynaflash... I think I may have found one at Speedway too.

 

you need an old textbook from shop class, read it twice. or find someone who knows what the hell they are doing and ask for help. nobody is born with the knowledge, but you have to live through the mistakes to apply the knowledge in the future. get some proper tools.

 

Kelsey, you might consider an electronic speedo. It might be easier to run wires to your speedo than trying to snake a cable around and keeping it from pinching or binding. If you buy a gauge kit, it will include the adapter to your mechanical speedo drive. The speedo drive is at the front of the tailhousing on the driver's side.
You've got my number. Ricky and Nathan are well versed in this stuff too.

 

You can run a mechanical or electronic, it really doesn't matter. Find the gauge you like and use it. The electronic speedos are programmable, so you can calibrate them easily for the tires/gears.
You can get a electronic sender for around $30.00. Don't bother with the high dollar ones, there are only 2-3 companies than make the exact same part.
Mark

 

Thanks guys. I guess I'll find the one I like best and make it work. The conversion (if needed) doesn't sound too expensive.

 

You are seriously going to say something like that right after someone helps you out? Your not going to make many friends or get too much help here with this type of first impression. Im not "ancient," nor am I a "hot rod god," but I do know how to learn about things before I attempt to build them. This question could have been answered by checking a parts website and comparing the photos............do your research first and show some damn respect to your elders!

 

"show some damn respect to your elders! " I'd respect my elders...if I found anyone older than I am.

 

zzford,

hahahahaha...that's funny, and I like your tagline too.

It seems some people read too far into these things. I was only joking around. Some people take life WAY too seriously. I also thought that going through these forums and asking questions was part of researching.