I was unsure which forum would be best, so feel free to move if necessary. I had my speedometer rebuilt, got it reinstalled with new cable. What would be the best product to lube the cable? Would anti-seize work well? Thanks in advance.
Just my $.02 worth, but a graphite impregnated oil like this one from Chev's of the 40's is what I like to use.
I would not recommend using anti-seize compound.
~ Dan 1951 Chevy 3 window 3100 Follow this story in the DITY Gallery "My Grandpa Carl's Truck and How it Became Mine" 1966 Chevelle (Wife's Hot Rod) | 2013 Chevy Silverado (Current daily driver) US Army MSG Retired (1977-1998) | Com Fac Maint Lead Tech Retired (1998-2021)
I always use the powdered graphite lubricant. It comes in a little tube, I think it's meant for locks because it can't freeze. Just spritz it onto the cable as you feed it into the housing. Works great, lasts for years.
I have always heard that one should never lubricate a speedo cable, in particular a new one. Any lubricant will ultimately make any dirt stick and impede the rotation of the cable.
I was told by my high school auto shop teacher explicitly never to use powdered graphite on speedo cables.
I was told to use a light coat of white lithium grease if necessary.
People here say to use the graphite impregnated grease which is probably ok since it was likely not around when I was in high school.
When I installed a new cable on Ol' Roy a year or two ago, I put some lithium grease on my fingers and wiped the entire cable. No chunks or heavy deposits, just a light coating. So far so good.
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)
Ya, mine was new, too and I installed it as-is and the needle jumped a bit.
I pulled it out and it had no oil or film on it from the factory. Lightly lubed with white lithium grease cleared that right up.
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)
I was taught to use a light coating of white lithium grease also but that was over fifty years ago. I am sure lubricants have improved in that time, but I will stick with what has worked for me.
