The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Speedometer Rebuild - Help ?

I came to a standstill on "big jobs" like engine and trans, and kingpins waiting for parts. So........I figured I would diddle with the gauges. I started with the speedometer on my "clean area" bench. The highly rusted chrome ring came away from the frame with no problem. I found the needle in 3 pieces inside. Next step was to separate the needle hub from the thin shaft that holds it to the speedometer. And.......I pulled up on it ever so gently. Well the brass bushing broke off the tiny speedo shaft. Can it be fixed? Are replacement parts avaialble ? or should I just hunt down another junkyard speedo? I fear I could never remove that chrome needle hub to replace the decal......Thanks - Joe

PS: IS this post in the right forum ?

What year truck?



For AD
Youll need to find a speedometer.

Save yours for parts

I have soaked the needle hub with some penetrating oil and let it sit for a while then later pryed off the needle from both sides.

Parts wanted forum is a good source.

Thanks for the quick response. It's an 80 MPH from a 1-ton AD truck. I think I have a spare to try it out on again as you say. But my spare is a 90 MPH from a junkyard find. I'm not overly concerned with accurate velocity reading via the speedo but I would like to see the needle move for the sake of moving. I can watch real speed on the iPhone. And 1-ton duallys aren't breaking any speed records !!!!!

BTW DADS50, your truck's story, the videos and photos are a genuine inspiration. I've been following it for years. What a story. - Joe

Thank you for your comments, I appriciate it


I have some pics and videos of my speedometer rebuild adventure

...here...

One video shows prying the needle off the little hub. That was one I soaked with some kroil for a bit.

I would also suggest you try to find another speedo assembly. There are lots of parts available to rebuild these.
Check out my Photobucket pictures of the dash rebuild.

Thanks for the reply. I found two candidate speedos in my box of rotted and rusted parts. I have to find a good source of penetrating fluid to sit in the shaft. I do have some PB Blaster in a can. I think I can carefully dip it in with an eyedropper. Are you guys aware of how to lube the speedo assembly? Maybe there's a reference in an old shop manual I have. By the way - great story on your 1-ton. I have a dually in just about the same shape. No way am I going to paint it, patina is the new Dupont Chromabase !

A little hard to read but hope it helps
http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/bulletins/ums/52UMS3d42501.html

Thanks Forty9 I could read it just fine. Some good tech-tips in there, particularly the lube sequence. - Joe

Recently read about a guy on another forum that uses a later model speedometer and makes a recalibrated face plate (overlay)for a 67-72 100 mph spedo says bolts right in.
Although not original it would be an option,he sells just the overlay for $12.00

Welder Dave, you have my attention. What more can you tell us or share. If the overlay is in the "right color" most folks would never know. I'd like to see one that is done with the new face. I'd invest $12 bucks just for the fun of it.....and maybe use it on my panel.

The website for the spedo overlay is mayberrycustoms.wordpress.com............hope that helps.

Help ya out on that link Dave:
https://mayberrycustoms.wordpress.com/
Thanks for that info, I'd never heard that the speedo guts
were interchangeable. Those later model speedo's should be
a lot more plentiful.

dg

Never heard the guts were interchangeable either, but I am not surprised. Its a GM thing. They did not reinvent the wheel as often as the rest of the Big Three.
Carl

So let me get this straight......I find a 67 to 72 truck speedometer and it will mount behind the chrome ring of my 47? That decal looks just fine. This is getting very interesting

I read it on the internet. It has to be true.

Now we are talking Carl