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Source for Speedometer Glass

Discussion in 'Early Jeep Restoration and Research' started by Jeep Rescue, Sep 3, 2009.

  1. Sep 3, 2009
    Jeep Rescue

    Jeep Rescue The CJ-3A Page

    Woodbridge, VA
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    Anyone have a source for the slightly curved (convex) speedometer glass?

    And no, I don't want flat glass and have tried glass shops.
     
  2. Sep 3, 2009
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    I've never seen curved speedo glass. Must be a feature of the earlier Jeeps.
     
  3. Sep 3, 2009
    lynn

    lynn Time machine / Early CJ5 HR Rep Staff Member

    Huntingdon PA
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    I've seen it... it was on the '55 speedo I made into a clock for Duke.
    I have no idea where repros of that glass could be obtained. :?
     
  4. Sep 3, 2009
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
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    The King-Seely speedo used in '55 has the curved glass, not sure if it carried over into the early S-W "white needle" units used in '56-'57.

    H.
     
  5. Sep 3, 2009
    SIDSCJ

    SIDSCJ Jeep addict

    14th State
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    My OEM '56 (white needle)has flat glass.
     
  6. Sep 5, 2009
    Chilly

    Chilly Active Member

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    Maybe try a clock shop or some related source of such materials. If the diameters are the same as the later flat type maybe an artsy fartsy glass blower could un-flatten a flat piece?
     
  7. Sep 5, 2009
    unclebill

    unclebill Banned

    a sun blasted...
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    that was a darn good idea!
    check this out.
    http://www.norkro.com/index_files/page0002.htm
     
  8. Sep 6, 2009
    sammy

    sammy Coca-Cola?

    Albuquerque, NM
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    seems like a watchglass from a lab supply store may be the ticket? the clock shop sounds good as well
     
  9. Sep 7, 2009
    Jeep Rescue

    Jeep Rescue The CJ-3A Page

    Woodbridge, VA
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    Good find on that Norkro place. For $12 I will try it an report back.
    Posted via Mobile Device
     
  10. Sep 7, 2009
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
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    If the the clock glass doesn't work out try one of the speedometer repair/restoration places.

    H.
     
  11. Sep 8, 2009
    Jeep Rescue

    Jeep Rescue The CJ-3A Page

    Woodbridge, VA
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    Shoot, that clock glass looks too convex. I'll call and ask about the "convexness"
     
  12. Sep 8, 2009
    unclebill

    unclebill Banned

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    i learned a new word!

    convexness
    convexnicity?
    convexity?
     
  13. Sep 8, 2009
    lynn

    lynn Time machine / Early CJ5 HR Rep Staff Member

    Huntingdon PA
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    Keep us posted. The convexity looks about right, as best I can recall. A quick measurement on the later speedos here at my desk indicate that the 5 1/4 is probably the right size.
    $12 seems like a reasonable price for this glass that would otherwise be made of unobtanium ;)
    I'll have to bookmark this site if the measurements and convexity turn out right... I can use it when I make my "bogus" 55 speedo clocks. :D
     
  14. Sep 8, 2009
    Jeep Rescue

    Jeep Rescue The CJ-3A Page

    Woodbridge, VA
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    I just bought some 5-1/4". I'll report back with a side-by-side of the "convextivity" of the new vs. original.
     
  15. Sep 16, 2009
    Jeep Rescue

    Jeep Rescue The CJ-3A Page

    Woodbridge, VA
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    I received the glass from Norkro. First, I ordered 5 1/4" and should have ordered 5 3/8" instead. I was able to make the slightly smaller diameter work with some silicon. Second, the convextivityness is much greater, by about 1/4". It looks fine, and much better than what I had, but still not correct. I'll post some pics when I get a chance.
     
  16. Sep 20, 2009
    jeep2003

    jeep2003 Well-Known Member

    Upstate NY
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    Perhaps you could use the glass from a convex mirror and strip the reflectiveness off the back. just something to try if it came down to that
     
  17. Sep 21, 2009
    Jeep Rescue

    Jeep Rescue The CJ-3A Page

    Woodbridge, VA
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    Here are a few pics. The new glass is too convex, but it still came out nice.
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
  18. Sep 22, 2009
    CEEJAY5

    CEEJAY5 Jeep Addict

    Columbia, SC
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    Looks great!
     
  19. Sep 23, 2009
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Convexity is a word. The others aren't AFAIK.
     
  20. Sep 24, 2009
    Rondog

    Rondog just hangin' out

    Parker, CO
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    Jeep Rescue - I hate to tell ya this, but that's a 1956 speedo, not a 1955, and I believe it should have flat glass.

    This is a 1955 CJ5 speedo.

    [​IMG]

    But I'm on the search for a nice 1956 speedo, and yours is a dandy! Wanna sell it?
     
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