Box CV 140 mph speedometer differences?

[monterey1962]

I was digging through my parts today, and came across my '89 CV's original 85 mph speedometer and an extra 140 mph speedometer. I then noticed that the 140 mph speedometer that I installed in the car years ago is different than this 140 mph speedometer. In the pics, you can see the difference. I never knew that there were different styles of the 140.

The 140 mph speedometer in the '89 is a bit "too busy" with all the highlighted details and colors. It seems a bit out of place. I really like plain look of the 85 mph speedometer. Since this other 140 is a little more plain, I think I'm going to install it.

Anyone know what the differences between the 140's mean? Different years, perhaps? Which style do you prefer?

[Tiggie]

The one in the car is an 82-87 model. The extra is the 88-89, my personal favorite as well.

There should be for the 79-81 as well with orange metrics but I have never seen one in person.

I have seen a picture of a 135mph also. Little variances.

[tbear853]

... 1981 Ford 140 speedo. Never saw it over about 119 down a hill though.

[Kodachrome Wolf]

I honestly prefer the earlier font. Something about the '88-'89 looks a little funny, but I know they were trying to made the dash look a little more modern before the '90 dash restyle.

[monterey1962]

Neat. Thanks for the info.

[Tiggie]

... 1981 Ford 140 speedo. Never saw it over about 119 down a hill though.

It exists! I like it.

[Kodachrome Wolf]

I have seen a picture of a 135mph also. Little variances.

Are you thinking of the Mercury ones?


I don't think I've seen a Ford unit not read 140.

From what I've seen on the '80-'82 Police Marquis speedometers, they followed the same changes as the civilian clusters for the same years.
IIRC:
-'80-'81 used the triangles for the turn indicators, '82 got the arrows (someone has a photo up of one here)
-'80 units have a sleeve on the shifter if it's a AOD car for the (D) indicator. Under the sleeve is the SelectShift pattern. (My cluster has the AOD sleeve). They also lack the high beam pictogram, and just have the blue indicator. '81-'82 have AOD selector only with high beam pictogram.
-'80-'81 units have the counterweighted wide fuel needle, but '82+ got the smaller range gauge fuel needle without the counterweight.
-'80-'81 units have the warning lights written out, '82+ got the pictograms.
-'80-'81 units also have the warning light patterns changed, as the location on the '82+ spot for BRAKE is TEMP on -'81.

[Mainemantom]

Civilian model speedometers read either 85 or 120 mph. Police models read 135 or 140mph. I have seen a 160 but don't remember what it was in. I know the 140 in a Mustang was pegged. Not at all safe.
That Mercury police speedometer is a rarity. I have lots of regrets of not ordering my old 82 Mercury as a full police package.

[Tiggie]

Are you thinking of the Mercury ones?


I don't think I've seen a Ford unit not read 140.

I am 98% on it. It was on CVN circa 2006. The brain can get rusty. It was only that one.

[87gtVIC]

I'd like to comment on the needle color of the installed speedometer below:



Did you paint the needle orange? Never seen that style speedometer (teal k's) with an orange needle only the white needle.

[monterey1962]

I'm thinking that the orange needle is from the 85 mph speedometer, and that I may have switched them. My 85 has a white needle in the picture.

[DerekTheGreat]

I like the one you've got installed. All white font is too busy to me, whereas the teal makes the cluster much less distracting and easier to read.

[clutch47]

I like the one you've got installed. All white font is too busy to me, whereas the teal makes the cluster much less distracting and easier to read.

Agreed. The all white pulls my eyes and focus in 3 directions. The teal allows me to see the numbers better.
I'm still searching for a 140 for my Sherrie.

[87gtVIC]

I'm thinking that the orange needle is from the 85 mph speedometer, and that I may have switched them. My 85 has a white needle in the picture.

Ahh yes. That makes sense. I see it now. I am afraid to breath on the speedometer in fear of bending the needle. I messed up a fuel gauge and really try to stay away from cluster needles. I commend you.

[WagonMan]

Saw this on E-bay. Interesting to say the least! WagonMan

https://www.ebay.com/itm/401144337124?chn=ps&mkevt=1&mkcid=28