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#1494633 03/31/2023 12:50 PM
Joined: Jan 2015
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'Bolter
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So I've got fully rebuilt original in my 49 Suburban and have just fitted to the cable from the 700r4 box (with mechanical adaptor)

The problem I have is the speed will climb but not reduce, any idea's?


49 Suburban Project
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O
'Bolter
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A fully rebuilt what? Transmission? Speedometer gauge?

Cable is probably hanging up in the sleeve. Pull out the cable and lubricate it with lithium grease.


1950 Chevrolet 3100 (Ol' Roy)

1939 Packard Standard Eight Coupe (The Phantom) | 1956 Cadillac Coupe de Ville (The Bismarck) | 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 coupe |1966 Ford Mustang (Little Red) | 1969 Pontiac GTO (The Dishpit) I 1979 Ford F-100 | 1976 Ford F-150 (Big Red) | 1995 Ford F-150 (Newt)
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Gearhead, Stovebolt Tech and Parts Tracker, Mod for Swap Meet and GTT
Gearhead, Stovebolt Tech and Parts Tracker, Mod for Swap Meet and GTT
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Posts: 5,809
Mike,

I would emphasize Otto's 2nd question above.

Did you rebuild/replace the speedometer itself? An original unrestored speedometer is going to have decades old lube that is more like a gummy/sticky consistency which could cause the results your are describing.

More thoughts and ideas once you can let us know some answers to these questions.

Dan


~ Dan
1951 Chevy 3 window 3100
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'Bolter
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Sorry yes it’s an Original speedo that’s been rebuilt with a new cable

The cable getting stuck would make sense, it’s lubed but it’s running through a tight angle off the box so will see if it can be rerouted


49 Suburban Project
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2
'Bolter
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The cable cannot hold the needle from returning to 0
The cable only drives the magnet
When the cable stops the needle drops to 0 with the clock spring
The spring might have some oil/dust on it or the needle is rubbing the glass or the tiny bearings that the needle cup rides on are too stiff
But the speedometer will have to come apart either way because it should be impossible to hold the needle from the outside of the unit, there is a problem inside the speedometer.
-s

Joined: Feb 2016
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'Bolter
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As 2ManyTrucks stated, it's not the fault of the cable, the speedo head needs cleaning and new lube.


1957 Chevrolet 5700 LCF 283 SM420 2 speed rear, 1955 IH 300U T/A, 1978 Corvette 350 auto, 1978 Yamaha DT175, 1999 Harley Davidson Softail Fat Boy
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'Bolter
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Mine does something like that if I have the cable connection on the speedo is too tight. Try loosening it a bit.


1948 3/4-Ton 5-Window Flatbed Chevrolet

34 Years. Now with a '61 261, 848 head, Rochester Monojet carb, SM420 4-speed, 4.10 rear, dual reservoir MC, Bendix up front, 235/85R16 tires, 12-volt w/alternator, electric wipers and a modern radio in the glove box.
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'Bolter
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Sounds like maybe the tight cable is causing stress that makes the needle touch the glass
The clearance is unfortunate over sensitive for that particular failure mode
Gm should have allowed an extra 1/32 or even 1/16 spacing for the needle because it seems to touch as soon as anything isn’t perfect like the needle aging and bending on its own even

Sometimes the speedo works on the bench and then installing it in dash also warps the whole assembly just enough to bind the needle as well
-s

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Riding in the Passing Lane
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The core in the cable may be a little to long making it bind.

George


They say money can't buy happiness. It can buy old Chevy trucks though. Same thing.
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'Bolter
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Binding the cable won’t make the needle stick tho
There is a gap between the magnet and the needle cup
Maybe the magnet pushes so far out it contacts the needle cup?
I haven’t investigated that possibility
I should write this down for my next speedo rebuild to take more measurements and see what tolerances are involved
I could see how it might happen now
Interesting
-s

Joined: Dec 2018
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'Bolter
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Mike Attewell Is your speedometer hand warped and rubbing on the glass face ?? Mine is in a 51 6400 Everything is working and I just hate to disturb all the original wiring and stuff for that one problem. 2 speed axle controls too.


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