Speedometer restoration

[David H.]

After driving my brother's '62 all summer for shakedown, some more work is needed to make it reliable.
One of those things is the speedometer stopped working. I heard it make a lot of noise and the needle bounced around some and then it quit.
After studying the archives I settled on D & M restorations.
Just wanted to ask for opinions on using them or recommendations on who I should use.

Thanks all

[Lynn L.]

Re: Speedometer restoration

I have had 3 instrument clusters and clocks restored by D & M, excellent mechanical and appearance results, always protects dates and labels. Fair prices, on my C1s 60, 61, and 62 cars

[Norm B.]

Re: Speedometer restoration

I used them for a '63 speedometer last year. Good quality, fair price, good customer service.

[Harry S.]

Re: Speedometer restoration

After driving my brother's '62 all summer for shakedown, some more work is needed to make it reliable.
One of those things is the speedometer stopped working. I heard it make a lot of noise and the needle bounced around some and then it quit.
After studying the archives I settled on D & M restorations.
Just wanted to ask for opinions on using them or recommendations on who I should use.

Thanks all

Are you sure it's the speedo? I'd pull the inner cable and see if it twisted and snapped. The repair kit from Autozone is $9.99. Their part number is 03368. If the cable did break, pull the inner and outer cable from the car. Clean the inside of the outer cable with alcohol. Get it as clean as possible. Then lube the inside of the cable with Kableease and a bit on the new inner cable. Not too much as you do not want the rotating action of the cable to draw any lube into the speedo.

Also contact Joe Ray of Joe Ray Parts if the speedo did fail. He is in the Driveline.

[Domenic T.]

Re: Speedometer restoration

I agree with Harry, lots of speedo failures were only cables. I certainly has the symptoms of a dry cable or one that had the wrong lube in cold WX. I made the cold WX mistake and the needle came off but all else was good.

DOM

[David H.]

Re: Speedometer restoration

I have tested the cable but will do so again before sending it out. It made no difference with a new cable.
I had greased it prior to the "noise and failure".
Thanks for the input.

[Joe R.]

Re: Speedometer restoration

I had greased it prior to the "noise and failure".
Thanks for the input.[/QUOTE]

And there in lies the problem! By greasing the cable you made it a pump that pumped that grease into and past the number one gear and bearing in the housing. There is an air gap between the number one magnet and the speed cup. When the grease appeared there was no air gap and the pointer drove toward 140mph in lightening speed! Thus the problem!
It has been pointed out on this forum many times that you do not grease the speedometer cable. The cable becomes a screw that pumps the grease into the head and creates your problem. Lubricating lightly with cable-ease will prevent this problem.
When the speedometer or tach is rebuilt without using a new bearing or number one shaft the chances of this happening are increased greatly. Some rebuilders won't go to the expense of rebuilding correctly and you get what you pay for!

JR

[David H.]

Re: Speedometer restoration

Point taken, but back to the original question. Is D & M a good place to rebuild my speedometer?
Thanks.

[David H.]

Re: Speedometer restoration

Update on my speedometer. Took the instrument cluster out and removed the speedometer. All gearing is in very good condition as if it had already been rebuilt. Signs of that included paint touch up on the face under the two small screws that hold the face on. Tried spinning it by hand and felt some resistance at first. Put drops of wd40 on the bearing points and it then spun freely. Cleaned it. Reconnected it to a speedometer cable and hooked a drill to it. Spun up nicely. Now the question is do I still send it out for repair? I figure it is worth sending it out and have it at least inspected. Rebuilt if necessary. What say ye?

[Richard M.]

Re: Speedometer restoration

David,

Whenever I work on a cluster, C1 or C2, I send the units out for inspection & repair/calibration by my expert. I work with Bill Harrison here in Florida. Sometimes I can get his timing right and drive about a hour down to Jupiter and he can fix me up right away. We always have a fun visit together. And he's always teaching me things when I'm there as he knows I like to do much instrument work myself. He's a great guy to work with and shares his knowledge as he's an enthusiast himself.

One of the issues with these C1 speedometer frames is that it is a integrated bushing. If it's worn it could get noisy and this also has a tendency to make the needle wander. With that, it's possible the main gear and odo gears may be worn and near the failure point. Only expert eyes can see that. The other issue is calibration, which can only be done with specialized equipment.

So.......Yes, IMO, now is the time to have it checked by the experts.

Rich

[Frank D.]

Re: Speedometer restoration

Up early again Rich ???
Anyway, if you go to the trouble to send out the speedo, then dang sure send out the tach for a quick health check. If the tach is OK then its a small extra expense vs pulling the cluster twice. The small gauges are rarely trouble -- but the tach and speed can be headaches....get 'em both back up to snuff at the same time and save some grief.

[Richard M.]

Re: Speedometer restoration

Yup, as usual, but I see I am not alone.

David, Frank is right, good catch. Now is the time for that tach too.

[David H.]

Re: Speedometer restoration

Thanks guys. I was a bit on the fence with the tach. (if it works leave it alone) But of course you are right and now is the time to get them both checked.
If you have someone that you trust to do this, I'm willing to give them the business. As long as I get it back in a reasonable time frame so I can get it back in before too long. Don't want to forget how to put it back in.
Who would you recommend?
Thanks again for your input. I really appreciate it.

[Frank D.]

Re: Speedometer restoration

Bill Harrison, D&M and Corvette Instruments will all do a fine job....you could go with the one with the cheapest shipping or fastest turnaround...

[David H.]

Re: Speedometer restoration

Thank you Frank.