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| | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 33 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 33 | Hello All,
I have a 1950 chevy 3100. In early 2000 I bought a re-conditioned speedometer which I just now installed (just put truck back on road after 21 years). My problem is, when the speedometer gets to 15, it stops and starts making noise. The odometer works fine. I'm getting ready to take a road trip with the truck and I'd like to get the speedometer working. Any suggestions?
Thanks,
BigMike | | | | | Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 14,522 Moderator: Welcome Centre, Southern Bolters, Legion Hall | | Moderator: Welcome Centre, Southern Bolters, Legion Hall Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 14,522 | Sounds like it needs lubed real good to make it work smoother. I think that will get it. | | | | | Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 940 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 940 | I unhooked the speedo in my 51 to remove it completely and when I put it back in it started making noise and bouncing all around. My guess is that the square pin on the cable didn't make it into square hole on the back side of the speedo and the sound is the pin spinning against the edge of the hole. ...I just unhooked mine again. Eventually I'll give it another shot. | | | | | Joined: May 2009 Posts: 181 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2009 Posts: 181 | Guys-
If you disconnect the cable on the back of the speedo and give it a spin with your pointer finger and thumb, you should be able to get it up to 15-20 mph easily. If it doesn't, then pull it out and find a small brass freeze plug near where the cable attaches. (it is tiny... about 3/16" across). Pull it out, behind it is a small felt pad that lubes the shaft, wash this felt pad out with carb cleaner, and spray a ton of carb cleaner in this hole and spin the shaft with your fingers until the carb cleaner comes out clear and the shaft spins freely. Then dribble some marvel mystery oil or ATF or some other lightweight lubricating oil into the hole and soak the felt pad and reinstall everything. It should work like a champ.....
Bryan
1954 3104 235 "AD" L-6 3-on-the tree
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 640 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 640 | Could the cable be the problem? | | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 33 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 33 | Thanks for the response. I took the truck to Las Vegas this weekend and the speedo would stop at 15 but only made a little noise every once and a while. On the way home on the other hand, I hit a bump and the speedo started screeching so loud that I had to pull off the freeway and disconnect it. From what I could see, it looked like the speedo cable was fully inserted into the speedo. I will pull the speedo out and inspect. | | | | | Joined: May 2001 Posts: 1,904 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2001 Posts: 1,904 | The square hole on my speedo was worn and rounded a bit so it was slipping. So I wrapped the cable square with one wrap or two with a little bit of aluminum foil. That solved my problem.
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.
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,847 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,847 | I'm not so sure it matters it isn't like you will be speeding. (that's a joke)
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