Author Topic: How to confirm Odometer  (Read 3954 times)

Offline Mopar Thunder

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How to confirm Odometer
« on: February 13, 2015 - 05:34:43 PM »
How can you confirm that the mileage shown on a car or what is being told to you is actual?  I'm talking early Mopars like a 70-71 Cuda, 68' Charger, or a 70' RoadRunner? is there some mark or indication on the speedometer?




Offline dfrazz

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Re: How to confirm Odometer
« Reply #1 on: February 13, 2015 - 06:23:52 PM »
There is no indicator on the odometer or speedo.  You can request paper work for proof, but its best to tell by signs of wear on the car, even the ignition where the key goes in.
« Last Edit: February 13, 2015 - 06:41:42 PM by dfrazz »

Offline mopar jack

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Re: How to confirm Odometer
« Reply #2 on: February 13, 2015 - 07:08:51 PM »
If you can pull the speedo you might see if the far left digits have yellowed and match the others . That might indicate they have been exposed to sunlight.

Offline OUTLAW

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Re: How to confirm Odometer
« Reply #3 on: February 13, 2015 - 08:02:47 PM »
there isn't any tattletale indicators except like dfrazz says look for signs of wear beyond the mileage stated like rubbers on the pedals and parts like rad hoses or belts on a low mileage car

Offline DocMel

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Re: How to confirm Odometer
« Reply #4 on: February 13, 2015 - 08:23:33 PM »
Having been around the resto scene for quite awhile:

1. If its VERY low miles, check brake, gas pedal, or clutch pedals.  Wear should match the mileage.

2.  Speedos get changed, and used originals are available everywhere

3.  The older speedos, (not sure about Mopars), but others, can be turned back with no damage.  Some makes have internal stops that will get damaged  if turned back

4.  Low mileage cars tend to have many of the maintenance type original parts still there and they should be numbers correct, such as spark plug wires, ignition box, distributor cap, etc.  (But don't go overboard on the spark plug wires and distro caps: Many people didn't use OEM tune up parts in the day for basic service maintenance).  A good one on Mopars are the battery cables:  These are hard to find original items and are not changed out often on low mile cars.  Check headlights and windshield wipers: Original makes are hard to find, and a detail many quick turnaround artists don't go into.

5.  Look for the proper overspray on radiator hoses and exh manifolds.  OEM radiator clamps with proper show of age.  Radiator hoses with proper OEM markings.  Look close at the L shaped water pump hose: That one that is rarely changed out, especially with low miles /  Check all belts for original markings

6.  Engine paint:  Should really really never be glossy, even on the valve covers:  Even freshly painted engines the gloss tends to flatten vey quickly

7.  Even though engine department decals are cheap and reproduced, you can tell the original ones and thier proper patina

8.  Properly dated and coded window glass, especially the front windshield

9.  Key signs are the small labels on the seatbelts with the date codes/manufactorer info on them. They should all basically match, or at least show proper age  (Remember though, seat belts weren't worn allot back in the day)

10.  Ash trays  Almost everybody smoked back when.  Look at wear of ashtrays, cig lighter:  Is the cig lighter original?

11.  Botched up/spliced up wiring under the dash

12. Look under carpet for proper jutting.  Low mile cars dont typically have the carpet or jutting changed out

13.  Up/down scratches on the rear quarter glass, or any glass for that matter that rolls up and down:  Low mile cars typically dont have these
scratches

14.  Original radiator cap and gas cap?

15.  Original paint?

16.  Low miles means you might see faded factory paint dabbings on various parts  (Dif carrier, rear spring mounts, torsion bars, etc)

17. Windshield washer bottle: Patina, etc

18. Coil:  Typically don't go bad or replaced on low mile cars

19.  Less miles means almost every indicator light and gauge should work.  Check inside all cabin lights for operations, dimmer should work smoothly 

20.  Spare tire, jack and trunk decals.  Less miles, more chance all will be there, in the proper patina 

All the above isnt really the rule. but something to get the big picture with

Offline mopar jack

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Re: How to confirm Odometer
« Reply #5 on: February 13, 2015 - 09:15:25 PM »
if the speedo has not been rolled back then the higher numers should have less yellow or fade. I have a high milage R.R. 150k with original front windshield and it shows with lots of small sandblast like pits especially at night with headlight glare. First thing I changed on the R.R. was the rubber on all pedals so may not show age.

Offline Mopar Thunder

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Re: How to confirm Odometer
« Reply #6 on: February 14, 2015 - 01:56:33 PM »
Thanks for all the info everyone.  I am currently talking to someone about a 1968 Charger, R/T, 440 auto console, supposedly has 7,433 original miles on it. In 2008 car was repainted, engine rebuilt and all rubber changed because it sat for so long.  Current owner bought it in 2004 and has only put 1,400 mile on it.  According to others it sits up on a lift all the time.  They say the owner doesn't want the wheels to touch the ground. There is supposed to be a large file of info on it. Pics look good, one thing I am a bit concerned about is the paint on the under carriage in one area is peeling, near the exhaust. If we negotiate further I will go out to see it before finalizing it.

Offline dpcd67

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Re: How to confirm Odometer
« Reply #7 on: March 05, 2015 - 12:41:09 PM »
That is a given that you need to look at it before you buy it and check all the things outlined in the posts above. I suspect it is not cheap either...
It is easy to attach a cordless drill and run the cable backwards.....I heard once. If you could talk to the original owner that would help ease your mind.
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Offline HP_Cuda

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Re: How to confirm Odometer
« Reply #8 on: March 05, 2015 - 01:17:21 PM »

No easy way to verify milage on a car.

Possibly pull the oil pan and then pull some bearings to check the wear.

It's somewhat of a crapshoot on old cars, my motto is to assume it's on the high side.
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1970 Cuda 383 4 speed - yellow - SOLD

Offline Mopar Thunder

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Re: How to confirm Odometer
« Reply #9 on: March 05, 2015 - 02:25:25 PM »
Here are a few pics of the interior. We ended up making a deal on it.  I take possession this Sunday. I will start another post to show pics of it.




Offline dfrazz

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Re: How to confirm Odometer
« Reply #10 on: March 05, 2015 - 02:27:12 PM »
looks nice!

Offline HP_Cuda

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Re: How to confirm Odometer
« Reply #11 on: March 05, 2015 - 05:23:06 PM »

Wow very clean

I also have been on the lookout for a 68 charger but have only found 80k + crazy prices or complete basket cases for too much $$$
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1970 Cuda 383 4 speed - yellow - SOLD

Offline ShelbyDogg

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Re: How to confirm Odometer
« Reply #12 on: April 04, 2015 - 03:43:26 PM »
If you ever took apart a speedometer, you would see that there was an ink pad on the far left digit that would tap the number after it was displayed then rolled to the next digit.  One way try try to stop speedometer roll backs in the 70s.  I posted a thread here years ago showing the ink pad.

As old as these cars are now, no telling what actual miles are.
I don't even have my speedometers hooked up in case the bearing dries up and breaks the needle off.
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Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: How to confirm Odometer
« Reply #13 on: April 08, 2015 - 10:10:56 PM »
Very hard to tell with a 40 year old car where virtually any part is reproduced , I can roll back a speedo in approx 2 mins with the speedo out of the cluster no reverse dogs to worry about if you roll it forward to zero again . I know where my car is at only because i have owned it 35 years now .

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