The Ford Barn

james hitchcock · 07-13-2015, 08:54 AM

I was just wanting feedback on if I should try to work on my 31 rnd speedometer. I've worked on most everything else on Ol Walter but never the speedometer. Is this something left to the professionals ? I had finally put the speedo cable on and had just assumed all worked. I got nothing. Let me know your thoughts, and if any videos available on this repair.
Thanks James.

160B · 07-13-2015, 09:40 AM

Here is a link to an article on speedometer repair. It is written for the oval speedometer, but the round is a lot easier to work on. Read the article and make your own decision.

Handouts courtesy of THE BEAVER CHAPTER, MAFCA Portland, Oregon.

Article and Sketches by Gordon Fischer. Copyright 6-12-94

http://www.modelahouse.com/tech/spee...r/fischer.html

sethkestenbaum · 07-13-2015, 10:25 AM

I worked on mine a while back. It wasn't so bad (and my mechanical skills aren't the best). If you work on your and it doesn't work when you are done, don't forget it didn't work before you started and you can always send it out then.

Tom Wesenberg · 07-13-2015, 10:49 AM

First make sure the speedometer cable is spinning. You might need a driven gear at the torque tube, or some other problem at the lower end.

burner31 · 07-13-2015, 11:25 AM

I did mine, works great now.
Treat it like surgery, get all the old hard grease out, re-lube everything.
Put it back together, test it with a drill before installing.
I did not re-do my number (will do this winter)
Good luck

Sparky · 07-13-2015, 11:57 AM

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I second all these comments, I was able to refurbish my round Waltham using the article as a guide. They are easy to disassemble and clean. The only delicate part is the clockspring on the speed wheel.

C26Pinelake · 07-13-2015, 12:37 PM

There is a certain satisfaction to being able to say that you did it. Give it a try ! All you have to lose is a little time! Mine was clogged with old grease and after I removed
The grease and lubricated it, it worked fine! Wayne

james hitchcock · 07-13-2015, 02:39 PM

I figured the same . It's not working no so I'm not out anything other than time. Thanks guys for the go ahead.

Jacksonlll · 07-13-2015, 09:00 PM

The main shaft must turn freely. Many of them bind up and won't turn. Big job freeing it up. That article is a good one.

sethkestenbaum · 07-14-2015, 08:27 AM

... and by "turn freely" people mean "using your pinky finger and turning gently it will move"

Mark in MT · 07-14-2015, 09:41 AM

If you run into troubles, contact me, I have parts and experience with these speedometers, rebuilt about 600 of them.

burner31 · 07-14-2015, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark in MT

If you run into troubles, contact me, I have parts and experience with these speedometers, rebuilt about 600 of them.

Any tips on replacing the number decals?
I'll be replacing them this winter.
I have the round Stewart-Warner '31

07-13-2015, 08:54 AM	#1
james hitchcock Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Visalia Ca. Posts: 617	Speedometer. Should I give it a try ? I was just wanting feedback on if I should try to work on my 31 rnd speedometer. I've worked on most everything else on Ol Walter but never the speedometer. Is this something left to the professionals ? I had finally put the speedo cable on and had just assumed all worked. I got nothing. Let me know your thoughts, and if any videos available on this repair. Thanks James.

07-13-2015, 09:40 AM	#2
160B Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Port Orchard, WA Posts: 1,498	Re: Speedometer. Should I give it a try ? Here is a link to an article on speedometer repair. It is written for the oval speedometer, but the round is a lot easier to work on. Read the article and make your own decision. Handouts courtesy of THE BEAVER CHAPTER, MAFCA Portland, Oregon. Article and Sketches by Gordon Fischer. Copyright 6-12-94 http://www.modelahouse.com/tech/spee...r/fischer.html __________________ 1931 160B & 1931 68B If you don't have time to do it right the 1st time, how do you have time to do it the 2nd time?

07-13-2015, 10:25 AM	#3
sethkestenbaum Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Westchester County, NY Posts: 632	Re: Speedometer. Should I give it a try ? I worked on mine a while back. It wasn't so bad (and my mechanical skills aren't the best). If you work on your and it doesn't work when you are done, don't forget it didn't work before you started and you can always send it out then. __________________ Seth Kestenbaum www.oldcarroadtrip.com

07-13-2015, 10:49 AM	#4
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Speedometer. Should I give it a try ? First make sure the speedometer cable is spinning. You might need a driven gear at the torque tube, or some other problem at the lower end.

07-13-2015, 11:25 AM	#5
burner31 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Shawnee, Ok Posts: 3,471	Re: Speedometer. Should I give it a try ? I did mine, works great now. Treat it like surgery, get all the old hard grease out, re-lube everything. Put it back together, test it with a drill before installing. I did not re-do my number (will do this winter) Good luck __________________ Keith Shawnee OK '31 SW 160-B

07-13-2015, 11:57 AM	#6
Sparky Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 649	Re: Speedometer. Should I give it a try ? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I second all these comments, I was able to refurbish my round Waltham using the article as a guide. They are easy to disassemble and clean. The only delicate part is the clockspring on the speed wheel.

07-13-2015, 12:37 PM	#7
C26Pinelake BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Michigan / Ontario border, Sarnia, Ontario. 50 miles from Detroit and 150 from Toronto. Posts: 5,800	Re: Speedometer. Should I give it a try ? There is a certain satisfaction to being able to say that you did it. Give it a try ! All you have to lose is a little time! Mine was clogged with old grease and after I removed The grease and lubricated it, it worked fine! Wayne

07-13-2015, 02:39 PM	#8
james hitchcock Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Visalia Ca. Posts: 617	Re: Speedometer. Should I give it a try ? I figured the same . It's not working no so I'm not out anything other than time. Thanks guys for the go ahead.

07-13-2015, 09:00 PM	#9
Jacksonlll Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Michigan-- Member of Oakleaf of MARC Posts: 1,686	Re: Speedometer. Should I give it a try ? The main shaft must turn freely. Many of them bind up and won't turn. Big job freeing it up. That article is a good one.

07-14-2015, 08:27 AM	#10
sethkestenbaum Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Westchester County, NY Posts: 632	Re: Speedometer. Should I give it a try ? ... and by "turn freely" people mean "using your pinky finger and turning gently it will move" __________________ Seth Kestenbaum www.oldcarroadtrip.com

07-14-2015, 09:41 AM	#11
Mark in MT Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Western MT Posts: 218	Re: Speedometer. Should I give it a try ? If you run into troubles, contact me, I have parts and experience with these speedometers, rebuilt about 600 of them. __________________ Mark in MT Always looking for another opportunity to be wrong.