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Jul 21st, 2025 | | | | Joined: Dec 2020 Posts: 14 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Dec 2020 Posts: 14 | Need some advice with my speedometer cable. My speedometer gauge stop registering at all a few weeks back. My gauges were rebuilt about 15 years ago were working fine (and the cable was new back then also). Should I assume the cable is bad and start with replacing that for this issue? I have a '53 3100, with a '57 235 engine and a 4 speed Saginaw trans. Thanks for any input/advice!
1953 Chevy 3100, 5-window
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2002 Posts: 2,168 A teacher, but always an apprentice. | | A teacher, but always an apprentice. Joined: Apr 2002 Posts: 2,168 | Pull the cable off the trans and gently insert into a drill chuck. Turn it counterclockwise slowly to see if the gauge works. If it’s the trans gear, you’ll know. If it’s the cable, you might be closer. I had this issue and, suspected my new cable, and tried the above...nothing. Pulled the gauge out, removed the cable and tried to spin it by hand...nothing.
Gauge disassembly followed. Turned out the internals were seized with 70 year old grease that was as hard as old pancake mix. Cleaned, lubed, assembled, and it works beautifully now.
Don’t run that cable until whatever it is is fixed. You might have to rebuild that gauge again, instead of lube it.
Last edited by Fox; 01/16/2021 5:56 AM.
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2018 Posts: 2,451 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2018 Posts: 2,451 | Dodgerbum I'll bet that saginaw works good they made thode with 3.50 to 1 low gear good for stump pulling and other low gear stuff! There is one that is almost exact as the sm420 except synchro low gear nice in traffic ! | | | | | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 6,189 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 6,189 | There is one that is almost exact as the sm420 except synchro low gear nice in traffic ! I'm not aware of any Saginaw 4-speed with a first gear ratio anywhere near the 7.05:1 of the SM-420. These two transmissions are not in the same league... Don't rule out a broken speedometer cable. I just had one twist off 3" in from the trans end... Mike B  | | | | | Joined: Dec 2018 Posts: 2,451 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2018 Posts: 2,451 | Mike B I may be wrong about those ratios and I understand what you mean ,the sm420 is atough gear box made for hard work. However for a street daily driver like a 3100 in modern traffic the saginaw works fine. Anyway my 3 handle fine. You can also have an overdrive !! | | | | | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 6,189 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 6,189 | Mike B I may be wrong about those ratios and I understand what you mean ,the sm420 is atough gear box made for hard work. However for a street daily driver like a 3100 in modern traffic the saginaw works fine. Anyway my 3 handle fine. You can also have an overdrive !! Agree, I also have a Saginaw in my '56 3100...works just fine! Mike B | | | | | Joined: Dec 2020 Posts: 14 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Dec 2020 Posts: 14 | I disconnected at the transmission and spun with my drill. The needle moved for a second and then stopped. I then disconnected at the gauge and saw that the same needle was spinning when I ran the drill. I reconnected back to the gauge and transmission...took a drive, and it now works fine. Maybe a connection issue, but still not ruling out the cable needs to be replaced. I’ll keep an eye on it. Thanks for the replays!
1953 Chevy 3100, 5-window
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2018 Posts: 2,451 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2018 Posts: 2,451 | dosgerbum Have seen the broken whiskers catch and work for a while. | | | | | Joined: Dec 2018 Posts: 2,451 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2018 Posts: 2,451 | In general what do bolters think the best speedometer lube is?? This would be for a colder climate. | | | | | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 Crusing in the Passing Lane | | Crusing in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 | I put regular grease in the freezer, at 5 below F, still flexible, that is what I use.
Ed
'37 GMC T-18 w/ DD 4-53T, RTO-610, 6231 aux., '95 GMC running gear, full disc brakes, power steering, 22.5 wheels and tires.
'47 GMC 1 ton w/ 302, NP-540, 4wd, full width Blazer front axle.
'54 GMC 630 w/ 503 gasser, 5 speed, ex fire truck, shortened WB 4', install 8' bed.
'55 GMC 370 w/270, 420 4 speed, grain, dump bed truck from ND. Works OK.
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2019 Posts: 99 Van | | Van Joined: Feb 2019 Posts: 99 | Hmmmm now why would you put grease in a freezer?
1959 Apache swb stepside
Atlanta Ga.
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2019 Posts: 4,100 AD Addict & Tinkerer | | AD Addict & Tinkerer Joined: Feb 2019 Posts: 4,100 | Hmmmm now why would you put grease in a freezer? I would suspect Ed wanted to see if the grease he planned on using on the speedometer cable was going to work at 5 below.
Last edited by Phak1; 03/06/2021 8:53 PM.
Phil Moderator, The Engine Shop, Interiors and Project Journals1952 Chevrolet 3100, Three on the Tree, 4:11 torque tube Updated to: ‘59 235 w/hydraulic lifters, 12v w/alternator, HEI, PCV and Power front Disc BrakesProject JournalsStovebolt Gallery Forum | | | | | Joined: Mar 2014 Posts: 4,209 Moderator, Electrical Bay | | Moderator, Electrical Bay Joined: Mar 2014 Posts: 4,209 | light grease infused with graphite is excellent and it won't freeze.
~ Jon
1952 1/2 ton with 1959 235 | T5 with 3.07 rear end
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,262 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,262 | | | |
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