The Ford Barn

Model A Fan · 01-10-2011, 11:47 PM

I recently purchased a speedometer and I would like to give it a "refresher" so to speak. It is in good shape, but I would like to touch up the numbers, polish the bezel and maybe recondition it.

Does anyone have an instruction set on how to pull it apart? I unscrewed the only screw in the backside, but nothing pops apart.

I would like to do this on my own without sending it to someone.
Thanks!

Bob Johnson · 01-11-2011, 12:37 AM

Click on link below.

Bob

http://www.modelahouse.com/tech/speedometer/index.html

LukeDahlinger · 01-11-2011, 12:37 AM

What kind of speedometer is it? Round or Oval? Stewart Warner, Waltham or Northeast?

On some of the round speedometers, the bezel is riveted to the body. On the speedos where the chrome/nickeled bezel is pressed on, you have to very carefully pry this loose from the housing.

Once you get it open, be prepared to deal with alot of pot metal parts, pot metal doesn't take kindly to aggressive tactics.

This will at least get you started, I'm sure someone will chime in with photos and more detailed instructions catered to what type of speedometer you have.

Mike V. Florida · 01-11-2011, 12:41 AM

Here is info from Bob Johnsons web site. His is one of the sites you should add to your favorites.

http://www.modelahouse.com/tech/speedometer/index.html

See what happens when you step away for a moment, you get beat!!

Model A Fan · 01-11-2011, 02:12 AM

Whoops, I guess I should include more information! It is an oval Stewart Warner with a W-6 and 600 in whitish paint on the backside.

Mike V. Florida · 01-11-2011, 04:10 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Before you do anything else. Take pictures of the speedo printing on the back and send them to Steve Plucker as he is doing a study on the Stewart Warner speedo.

Tom from Drippin' · 01-11-2011, 12:19 PM

How do I restore a speedometer? ..........

I carefully package it and send it to Cushman!

Aerocraft · 01-11-2011, 12:47 PM

There are a number of threads on repair and service of the S-W speedometer. Gar Williams

Model A Fan · 01-11-2011, 01:46 PM

I searched the threads...nothing showed up though. The speedometer works, it is just that the numbers are a little faded. Nothing wrong with it mechanically it looks. I just want to possibly recondition the numbers and clean the silver bezel as it is slightly corroded.

Mike V. Florida · 01-11-2011, 03:03 PM

The links given show EXACTLY how to open, clean, repair, rebuild, and calibrate the speedometer. It tells you about reapplying decals as well. As for cleaning the bezel, it is like any other piece of metal that has nickle plating.

Don/WI · 01-11-2011, 03:37 PM

The link below will take you right to the meat of speedometer restoration. If you want to go at it to this depth, you will need to make some of the special tools that are shown in the article. The article is very well done. I used this information to dig into a couple of my speedometers that would not turn and they turned out to be good working instruments. I did not replace the numbers as the ones on my speedometers were in good shape. Don/WI
http://www.modelahouse.com/tech/spee...r/fischer.html

01-10-2011, 11:47 PM	#1
Model A Fan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bellingham, Washington Posts: 362	How do you restore a speedometer? I recently purchased a speedometer and I would like to give it a "refresher" so to speak. It is in good shape, but I would like to touch up the numbers, polish the bezel and maybe recondition it. Does anyone have an instruction set on how to pull it apart? I unscrewed the only screw in the backside, but nothing pops apart. I would like to do this on my own without sending it to someone. Thanks!

01-11-2011, 12:37 AM	#2
Bob Johnson Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: California Posts: 979	Re: How do you restore a speedometer? Click on link below. Bob http://www.modelahouse.com/tech/speedometer/index.html

01-11-2011, 12:37 AM	#3
LukeDahlinger BANNED Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 956	Re: How do you restore a speedometer? What kind of speedometer is it? Round or Oval? Stewart Warner, Waltham or Northeast? On some of the round speedometers, the bezel is riveted to the body. On the speedos where the chrome/nickeled bezel is pressed on, you have to very carefully pry this loose from the housing. Once you get it open, be prepared to deal with alot of pot metal parts, pot metal doesn't take kindly to aggressive tactics. This will at least get you started, I'm sure someone will chime in with photos and more detailed instructions catered to what type of speedometer you have. __________________ Wanted- Feb. 1931 Parts Price List www.vintagefordfacts.blogspot.com

01-11-2011, 12:41 AM	#4
Mike V. Florida Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Florida Posts: 14,054	Re: How do you restore a speedometer? Here is info from Bob Johnsons web site. His is one of the sites you should add to your favorites. http://www.modelahouse.com/tech/speedometer/index.html See what happens when you step away for a moment, you get beat!! __________________ What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II

01-11-2011, 02:12 AM	#5
Model A Fan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bellingham, Washington Posts: 362	Re: How do you restore a speedometer? Whoops, I guess I should include more information! It is an oval Stewart Warner with a W-6 and 600 in whitish paint on the backside.

01-11-2011, 04:10 AM	#6
Mike V. Florida Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Florida Posts: 14,054	Re: How do you restore a speedometer? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Before you do anything else. Take pictures of the speedo printing on the back and send them to Steve Plucker as he is doing a study on the Stewart Warner speedo. __________________ What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II Last edited by Mike V. Florida; 01-11-2011 at 04:20 AM.

01-11-2011, 12:19 PM	#7
Tom from Drippin' Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Dripping Springs, Texas Posts: 286	Re: How do you restore a speedometer? How do I restore a speedometer? .......... I carefully package it and send it to Cushman! __________________ The pursuit of excellence is healthy and rewarding. The pursuit of perfection is frustrating, neurotic and a terrible waste of time.

01-11-2011, 12:47 PM	#8
Aerocraft Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Naperville, IL Posts: 1,387	Re: How do you restore a speedometer? There are a number of threads on repair and service of the S-W speedometer. Gar Williams

01-11-2011, 01:46 PM	#9
Model A Fan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bellingham, Washington Posts: 362	Re: How do you restore a speedometer? I searched the threads...nothing showed up though. The speedometer works, it is just that the numbers are a little faded. Nothing wrong with it mechanically it looks. I just want to possibly recondition the numbers and clean the silver bezel as it is slightly corroded.

01-11-2011, 03:03 PM	#10
Mike V. Florida Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Florida Posts: 14,054	Re: How do you restore a speedometer? The links given show EXACTLY how to open, clean, repair, rebuild, and calibrate the speedometer. It tells you about reapplying decals as well. As for cleaning the bezel, it is like any other piece of metal that has nickle plating. __________________ What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II

01-11-2011, 03:37 PM	#11
Don/WI Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Kaukauna, Wisconsin Posts: 394	Re: How do you restore a speedometer? The link below will take you right to the meat of speedometer restoration. If you want to go at it to this depth, you will need to make some of the special tools that are shown in the article. The article is very well done. I used this information to dig into a couple of my speedometers that would not turn and they turned out to be good working instruments. I did not replace the numbers as the ones on my speedometers were in good shape. Don/WI http://www.modelahouse.com/tech/spee...r/fischer.html