72 Std Odometer Question!

[Lew]

I removed it a while back when modifying the dash. I decided to see if I could turn back the milage yesterday.
I also checked out the bulbs by connecting a jumper from a 12 volt battery to ground, and using another jumper
touching each bulb's spade connection. All the bulbs worked just fine except one.
Since I removed the bad bulb and turning the Odometer over in my hand, a small piece of green plastic fell out
the bulb opening. This green piece of plastic created a green light for the turn signals.
I can see where it was placed deep in the bulb opening, but I doubt I can get it back in place. Any ideas, also Is
there a easy way to turn back the mileage?

[Bruce2]

Turning back the mileage is highly illegal. Don't do it.

[Marc]

You aren't going to be in hot water for replacing or resetting an odometer provided there's no intent to defraud involved.

In the US you have to fill in the odometer reading on the paperwork when vehicle ownership is transferred. The specific reporting requirements and the form used to record it vary from state to state, but typically there's someplace to check when you have reason to believe that it's not the actual mileage, which absolves you of any legal liability. On an old, high-mileage car they may not even care - for example in California it's not required on vehicles over 10 years old (see link below). Here in Washington an Odometer Disclosure Statement is only required for 1998 and newer vehicles. On older vehicles which have odometers which can only record up to 99,999 miles, you may only need to check off something like "100,000+".
That said, I still wouldn't bother. It's tricky to do and if you don't have a spare speedo head for parts you may end up ruining it.

http://dmv.ca.gov/pubs/reg_hdbk_pdf/ch5 ... orting.pdf

On early speedo heads the 3-hole lampholder was attached with screws and was simple to remove to replace the colored lenses. Newer ones are riveted on, so you've got to drill off the rivet heads and figure out a way to screw/glue it back in place when you're done. OR, you can carefully pry off the bezel to access the innards. Again, going too deeply inside is fraught with peril and I don't recommend it, but if you need to clean the inside of the glass it's the way to go.
http://laudeman.com/bug_speedo.html

[Lew]

I realize that turning back a vehicles Odometer mileage is against the law. However it's done everyday by
the bad boys that are trying to sell a car. I don't plan on selling the car so it should not be a problem.
Since "My 72" as it's listed on STF is all new from the ground up including the newly modified engine,
I just want to start the Odometer off at all zero's (00000/0 's) when the car is finished.
Eventually this car will go to my Grandson and he will pass it on to his family. That's my hope and desire.

As for the green plastic lenses, it's badly curled up from the heat and not reusable.
I though about using some Green model Air Plane dope and dip the bulb, but that would not
illuminate and project the proper green arrow silhouette. As for the 3-hole lamp holder, I noticed the rivets,
and thought about taking them out and re-attaching the unit in some way. I most likely will use hot glue.
As for a new green lenses, I plan on cutting out a piece of a Great Value Ginger Ale bottle I get from Wal Mart.
Marc, I appreciate the info and the web site on how to change the odometer mileage.

[BAJA-IT]

My son just used some colored plastic from some folders we got at Wal-Mart. One green and one red, they were under a dollar each, just cut a piece out and glued it to the back side of the face. He took the speedo apart to clean it up and we turned the odometer back to '000000'. This was an older speedo with no gas gage and no tenths on the odometer. We had to bend some tabs to take it apart to reset the odometer. Looks brand new now, had around 39,000 miles on it.