| |
Click on image for the lowdown. 
====
| | |
0 members (),
54
guests, and
3
robots. | | Key: Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod | | | Forums66 Topics128,072 Posts1,055,906 Members48,429 | | Most Online14,466
Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!
| | THANKS!
For helping keep this great
old truck web site
on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down
with Ads!  Again, thanks!
| | | | Joined: May 2004 Posts: 191 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: May 2004 Posts: 191 | I had to change the stock speedometer in my 56 for another one. The old one would suddenly go bonkers and zoom up to 90-100 mph. I put another TF speedometer in and it is now 10 mph slow at 70 mph. In other words, when I'm doing 70, it registers 60. Old speedo was dead on, just erratic sometimes. New gears, cale, etc. Any ideas what is causing the difference, or what is my best solution? Again, only change is in speedometers. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 5,206 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 5,206 | Is the odometer right? If it is, the small magnet that spins the needle is weak. The cable spins the magnet head which spins the needle, they are not connected solid. Your old one most likely would come in contact with each other and send the needle full speed. A shop will be able to recalibrate the speedometer head.
If the odometer is off just as the speedometer is, then its a gearing problem. Odometers are geared right to the spinning magnet head so they will always be right if the gears are right in the transmission.
You might try a good cleaning and oiling to see if it helps.
Joe | | | | | Joined: May 2004 Posts: 191 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: May 2004 Posts: 191 | Joe H:
How do I go about cleaning and oiling the Speedometer head? Is there any hope for my old speedometer? | | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,097 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,097 | You can take the spedo apart and clean it up and lube with white grease or some other light lube. There is a good possibility that there is nothing wrong with your replacement spedo. Some one may have indexed the needle incorrectly on the shaft. Does it actually go back to zero? If not, you can remove the needle and reinstall it in the correct position. Be careful with removing the needle from the shaft, if you break the shaft it's over.
Fred
Last edited by rfs56trk; 03/04/2008 1:25 AM.
1956 3100 Pickup/Red/350/3sp OD/PS/Disc Brakes
1957 Bel Air Sport Coupe/Red/355/TH350/PS/Disc Brakes
2017 Silverado LT Single Cab SB/Black/5.3/6 Speed Trans
1947 Willys CJ2A w/F-Head engine
| | | | | Joined: May 2004 Posts: 191 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: May 2004 Posts: 191 | rfs56trk
The needle does go back to zero. | | | | | Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,597 Riding in the Passing Lane | | Riding in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,597 | Compare the odometer with the mile markers on the freeway. If you are not near a freeway mark off about 2 miles with a vehicle you know is right & compare it with that. Like JoeH said if the odometer is correct the needle is probably wrong.
They say money can't buy happiness. It can buy old Chevy trucks though. Same thing. 1972 Chevy c10 Cheyenne SuperIn the Gallery Forum | | | | | Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 5,206 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 5,206 | Clint, just take your time and pull the guts out of the speedometer housing. Use some brake clean spray spray and really give it a cleaning. Then use some light oil, like 3 in 1 or sewing machine oil, and give each joint a little dab. Brake clean shouldn't hurt the dial or odometer numbers, but check a small place first! WD40 is also a excellent cleaner and will oil at the same time. You really shouldn't have to take anything apart other then pulling the sheet metal case off.
Once its clean, run it with you drill motor and check it out.
Joe | | |
|
|
| |
