The Ford Barn

drgoetz · 11-14-2023, 11:55 AM

I have a '50 Merc with a speedometer that does not work. I replaced the gear and the cable; the "speedo" part worked however the odometer does not move. I can hear the cable. Additionally, at present, NOTHING WORKS.
I have made attempts to remove the dash with no luck. I can only get it part way out and then the wiring harness and steering wheel prevent any further movement. I have dropped the steering column out of its bracket, however, the wiring harness is so brittle I fear the cloth coverings will crack and "short" the dash.
I did try to remove the speedometer from the back/bottom but the peddles beat-me-up.
Any suggestions other than letting "someone else do it"?

rotorwrench · 11-14-2023, 04:31 PM

The 50 & 51 dash pretty much has to be removed to work on anything under it. Most of what holds it are the screws across the top. The bolts on each side and the steering wheel support is the rest of it. The E-brake handle & OD handle (if applicable) also need to be dropped. I disconnect the heat & vent cables too. The radio was already out of one of my Mercs so that made it a little lighter to work with.

Disconnecting the bullet terminals for wiring to the front & rear takes a tool and a learned technique to get them to separate from the multiple block connectors. I made a tool to spread the inner connector enough to get the bullets to turn loose without breaking the wire. I practiced on the ones under the hood before taking the dash ones apart. I replaced ALL the wiring under there including the wiring inside the steering column. My wiring insulation fell apart just touching those old wires.

I restored the whole dash and windshield before reinstalling it. It's a job but it's not as bad as I thought it would be. Doing it any other way can lead to broken parts if a person isn't slow and methodical about it. Those old die cast waterfall type dashes can be brittle and NOTHING is easy to get to.

19Fordy · 11-14-2023, 08:00 PM

Be sure to get these manuals.

paul2748 · 11-14-2023, 08:17 PM

You should think about a rewire if you are sure the wires are that brittle. It's only a matter of time that something will happen and you will have to do it.

petehoovie · 11-14-2023, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 19Fordy

Be sure to get these manuals.

APDAVE · 11-15-2023, 12:51 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

When I removed the speedo on my 50 merc I was able to remove the screws laying on my back. I did not remove the dash. Dave

rotorwrench · 11-15-2023, 06:45 PM

A caveat on the 49 through 51 Lincoln Mercury Overhaul manuals is to be sure they have all the updates. Some reproductions do and some don't. I started out on reprints before purchasing and old original manual with all the updates. The photos are well worth it. Some reprints didn't do well with the photos.

drgoetz · 11-15-2023, 08:06 PM

To all my friends... Thank you for your responses.
-PeteHoovie,19Forty & Rotorwrench - I checked the Overhaul Manual I have and looked for updates on the bottom of the pages (dates of updates.) I do not know if they are all there, however, there were changes made.
-paul2748 & APDAVE - I will try on my back again but will disconnect the pedals so they lay flat. Should the wiring start to fall apart, I will evaluate at that point.
-I will attempt to start again on Saturday or Sunday.
Dr. G

11-14-2023, 11:55 AM	#1
drgoetz Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Lexington, KY Posts: 61	49-51 Merc Speedometer Removal I have a '50 Merc with a speedometer that does not work. I replaced the gear and the cable; the "speedo" part worked however the odometer does not move. I can hear the cable. Additionally, at present, NOTHING WORKS. I have made attempts to remove the dash with no luck. I can only get it part way out and then the wiring harness and steering wheel prevent any further movement. I have dropped the steering column out of its bracket, however, the wiring harness is so brittle I fear the cloth coverings will crack and "short" the dash. I did try to remove the speedometer from the back/bottom but the peddles beat-me-up. Any suggestions other than letting "someone else do it"?

11-14-2023, 04:31 PM	#2
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,440	Re: 49-51 Merc Speedometer Removal The 50 & 51 dash pretty much has to be removed to work on anything under it. Most of what holds it are the screws across the top. The bolts on each side and the steering wheel support is the rest of it. The E-brake handle & OD handle (if applicable) also need to be dropped. I disconnect the heat & vent cables too. The radio was already out of one of my Mercs so that made it a little lighter to work with. Disconnecting the bullet terminals for wiring to the front & rear takes a tool and a learned technique to get them to separate from the multiple block connectors. I made a tool to spread the inner connector enough to get the bullets to turn loose without breaking the wire. I practiced on the ones under the hood before taking the dash ones apart. I replaced ALL the wiring under there including the wiring inside the steering column. My wiring insulation fell apart just touching those old wires. I restored the whole dash and windshield before reinstalling it. It's a job but it's not as bad as I thought it would be. Doing it any other way can lead to broken parts if a person isn't slow and methodical about it. Those old die cast waterfall type dashes can be brittle and NOTHING is easy to get to. Last edited by rotorwrench; 11-14-2023 at 04:39 PM.

11-14-2023, 08:17 PM	#4
paul2748 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Midland Park, NJ Posts: 3,982	Re: 49-51 Merc Speedometer Removal You should think about a rewire if you are sure the wires are that brittle. It's only a matter of time that something will happen and you will have to do it. __________________ 48 Ford Conv 56 Tbird 54 Ford Victoria

11-15-2023, 12:51 PM	#6
APDAVE Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 228	Re: 49-51 Merc Speedometer Removal Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) When I removed the speedo on my 50 merc I was able to remove the screws laying on my back. I did not remove the dash. Dave

11-15-2023, 06:45 PM	#7
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,440	Re: 49-51 Merc Speedometer Removal A caveat on the 49 through 51 Lincoln Mercury Overhaul manuals is to be sure they have all the updates. Some reproductions do and some don't. I started out on reprints before purchasing and old original manual with all the updates. The photos are well worth it. Some reprints didn't do well with the photos.

11-15-2023, 08:06 PM	#8
drgoetz Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Lexington, KY Posts: 61	Re: 49-51 Merc Speedometer Removal To all my friends... Thank you for your responses. -PeteHoovie,19Forty & Rotorwrench - I checked the Overhaul Manual I have and looked for updates on the bottom of the pages (dates of updates.) I do not know if they are all there, however, there were changes made. -paul2748 & APDAVE - I will try on my back again but will disconnect the pedals so they lay flat. Should the wiring start to fall apart, I will evaluate at that point. -I will attempt to start again on Saturday or Sunday. Dr. G