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| | | | Joined: Aug 2009 Posts: 152 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Aug 2009 Posts: 152 | The speedometer cable end had broken on my '59 38, so I replaced the cable and now I have a working (sort of) speedometer. For the first few minutes during my initial road test it indicated 100 mph even though I was only going 35. After a while it loosened up and now the indicated speed is generally correct. However, occasionally it goes very high, and then wavers, and finally settles back to the correct speed. Can the speedometer be serviced/lubricated? Or must it be replaced? All suggestions are appreciated since my only experience dealing with speedometers is replacing cables.
On the positive side, I think I set a new worlds record: 100 mph in a flat bed truck running a 235 stovebolt with 5.17 gears!
Oldbolter
1959 Apache 3800 dually flat bed/dump with 261
1956 3800 dually flat bed/dump with 235
1957 3600 flat bed, 350 engine, 700R4, PS, disc brakes, 14 bolt rear with 4.11 gears
| | | | | Joined: May 2012 Posts: 574 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2012 Posts: 574 | yes they can be serviced and cleaned, but very carefully. look in the Tech Tips, there is a section on how to  . Links page / Services Indy
1949 Dodge Coronet 1955 2nd Chevy 4400 1.5 ton 1955 2nd Chevy 3100 1/2 ton 1955 2nd Chevy 3100 1/2 ton 1957 Chevy 5400 LCF 2 ton 1966 Dodge D100 Sweptline 1968 Chevy P20 stepvan 1969 GMC LWB pickup 1972 GMC Sprint 1974 CP30 shorty bus There are three things that I've learned never discuss with people: religion, politics, and the Great Pumpkin.----Linus Van Pelt Trying to understand the behavior of some people is like trying to smell the color 9  | | | | | Joined: Aug 2009 Posts: 152 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Aug 2009 Posts: 152 | Thanks Indy. It looks like I need to open it up and very carefully clean it.
Steve
Oldbolter
1959 Apache 3800 dually flat bed/dump with 261
1956 3800 dually flat bed/dump with 235
1957 3600 flat bed, 350 engine, 700R4, PS, disc brakes, 14 bolt rear with 4.11 gears
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 435 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 435 | If you find it needs more than just a gentle cleaning, there is an outfit in Wichita, Ks. called Bowtiebits that does this sort of work. I'm not plugging their shop or work, but just telling you of another of many places that can fix your troubles. From what I've heard of them, they are doing good work and reasonable rates. Hard to come by in todays world. Wouldn't hurt to give them a shout or look them up on the web and see what they have to say.
Tramp | | | | | Joined: Sep 2011 Posts: 116 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Sep 2011 Posts: 116 | Old bolter, before you take the speedo out for a rebuild you kight try removing the cable from the sleve and give it a good coat of white lithium grease. My speedo was doing the same as you describe, and a little grease and good as new.
1955 Second Series GMC"Done - A 50 Year Journey"Follow in the DITY-- No one said it was going to be easy
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2009 Posts: 152 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Aug 2009 Posts: 152 | Thanks for the suggestions. Since I just replaced the cable and sleeve I'm assuming the cable is not the problem (I really had my hopes up the cable was the only problem).
Steve
Oldbolter
1959 Apache 3800 dually flat bed/dump with 261
1956 3800 dually flat bed/dump with 235
1957 3600 flat bed, 350 engine, 700R4, PS, disc brakes, 14 bolt rear with 4.11 gears
| | | | | Joined: May 2012 Posts: 574 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2012 Posts: 574 | also, if you do service it yourself, DO NOT OIL THE PARTS!!!!!!!!!! it will eventually stop the gears from moving properly because the oil collects dirt and dust really bad. Indy
1949 Dodge Coronet 1955 2nd Chevy 4400 1.5 ton 1955 2nd Chevy 3100 1/2 ton 1955 2nd Chevy 3100 1/2 ton 1957 Chevy 5400 LCF 2 ton 1966 Dodge D100 Sweptline 1968 Chevy P20 stepvan 1969 GMC LWB pickup 1972 GMC Sprint 1974 CP30 shorty bus There are three things that I've learned never discuss with people: religion, politics, and the Great Pumpkin.----Linus Van Pelt Trying to understand the behavior of some people is like trying to smell the color 9 | | | | | Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 11 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 11 | Anyone have any idea where one could find a wormgear (the plastic one) | | | | | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 | Tomb, depends on the year and trans type, need to state specifics - but might try here - or maybe here scroll down to #1964 - and there's other speedo repair services that might have them Bill | | |
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