The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Interiors Speedometer frustration

Took out the non working speedometer on my 54, cleaned it up, and tested it on a power drill and it worked fine. Took the cable out and lightly greased it. I reinstalled them both. Driving with the cable not connected to speedo it spins as it should but when connected the needle doesn't move although the odometer works. My question is what is the voodoo spell that will get this blanking thing to work? Only thing I can think is maybe the little brass thing on the speedo end of the cable needs to be seated against or in the speedo connector but it doesn't fit in it. I know the needle isn't pressing on the housing. Any ideas are appreciated.

I hope someone pinches in on this one. We all seem to have speedo problems at some time unless you get it rebuilt!

First off is it lubricated. Not sure about yours bus some have a "wick" that need some light oil.

...I had your problem on my 37 and found that the NEW speedo cable was simply to darn small on the end. I have a friend in Greeville who does resto work and he spotted it quick. With some wear on the speedo piece, and the small cable, it just wouldn't work. Mike cut me a new piece of cable and I've never looked back. Works fine. He actually mic'd the end of the new one and it was quite a bit small.

Good luck, let us know what fixes your problem.

I used this write-up to rebuild mine. Hope it helps.
Mike

StephenB -

Here is a lot more info than you requested. The first part with the Tech Tip by Jeff Erickson answers your question. The rest of my post are fluffy details for those of us with the dreaded "picky gene".

I used this Tech Tip by Jeff Erickson to lube the speedometer in my '54. It stopped the URK, URK, URK noise coming from my speedo.
> CLICK for Jeff's Tech Tip

Pay particular attention to this part of his Tech Tip. It refers to the brass cap that you questioned. Click on the "[ pix ]" in his Tech Tip to see the brass cap etc.

=======

> Starting back at the base of the speedometer assembly

"If you look it over, you will notice a very small brass soft plug [ pix ] . I used a tiny screwdriver, inserted it in softly and gently turned it counter-clockwise and pulled the plug right out. Underneath it is a very small piece of felt which can be removed with tweezers or a needle. [ pix ] Apply one drop, maybe two at most, and give the speedometer a spin to make sure it's thoroughly lubricated. I cut a small piece of new felt (but the old one can be reused) [ pix ] and inserted it into the hole. Apply one more drop of oil and gently pop the brass soft plug back in place. Push gently but firmly so it's seated tight. [ pix ] Surprisingly enough, there was still wet oil inside when I pulled the plug out. Not bad after 60 years!"

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I used 3-in-One 20w machine oil in the blue and white bottle to lube the felt. My speedo still had the felt beneath the brass cap. I didn't disassemble or reface the odometer.

Be gentle when you remove the speedometer needle from the mounting shaft. The shaft is very brittle and easily broken. Mine came off OK, but I broke the shaft on a speedo that I was using for practice. I took the speedo in my '55 MG TF to a watch maker to have the hands of the clock, which is on the speedo face, removed.
> CLICK - Broken shaft

John Rooney's Tech Tip on refacing the gauges on his '53 is a good guide to refacing your speedo and other gauges.
> CLICK for John's Tech Tip

Here is the saga and the results of refacing the gauges in my '54 3104.
> CLICK for Stovebolt reface thread

If you want to complete the rehab of your '54 dash, here are my CHEVROLET letters and speaker grille stripes on my '54:
> CLICK for Stovebolt dash thread

A few more picky details:

> CLICK - Dual clip for mounting speedo cable and wiring harness onto firewall - American Classic Truck Parts part # FA-113

> CLICK - 70" metal case speedo cable - American Classic Truck Parts part #SPC-2

> CLICK - correct two-hole and three-hole grommets for firewall

- Lonnie

Thanks all for the great ideas. I'd been looking for a Chevrolet dash decal with no luck and hadn't thought about a grille backing. Very cool. Didn't know I could take the brass plug out to lube speedo so this seems worth trying. My cable is fairly new so I wouldn't think it would be too worn but maybe the inside of the speedo is. What's a few more hours upside down under the dash.

It worked with the drill?

Did you try loosening he nut on the back of the speedo?

Check the engagement of the square drive.

I think I have tried it loose, tight, and in between. I even put the back end of the cable in a drill and it moved the needle so I'm clueless.