Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Model A (1928-31)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 08-10-2011, 11:01 PM   #1
29restorod
Senior Member
 
29restorod's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: South East Michigan
Posts: 229
Default Speedo not working-cable or Speedo unit?

Last week the speedometer started making a "clink-clink-clink"sound then stopped working. I ordered a new cable,and installed it. I noticed the speedo input turned a little hard so I lubed it with a little lock oil. The cable was broken down near the drive gear. When everything was back together,it still did not work. Is my speed head broken inside? Its a Stewart Warner oval head,that shows 66K,and the lead seal is still in place.
__________________
If you think SBC's are "Old School" you are not old enough.
29restorod is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-11-2011, 12:13 AM   #2
Tom Wesenberg
Senior Member
 
Tom Wesenberg's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Mpls, MN
Posts: 27,582
Default Re: Speedo not working-cable or Speedo unit?

Remove the cable from the speedometer and see if the speedo turns easily. My bet is that it needs to be freed up and lubed.
Tom Wesenberg is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 08-11-2011, 06:02 AM   #3
Brother A
Senior Member
 
Brother A's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Southern CT & Southwest FL
Posts: 115
Default Re: Speedo not working-cable or Speedo unit?

I would also check the speedo drive unit on the drive shaft. It's an easy job to take it off and have a look. When I needed one for my car I found a couple that were stuck.
Brother A is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-11-2011, 12:20 PM   #4
junk yard kid
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: san diego
Posts: 114
Default Re: Speedo not working-cable or Speedo unit?

keep your old speedo cable, cut it down so you can put it in a drill and test the speedometer. Drill goes in reverse.
junk yard kid is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-11-2011, 12:22 PM   #5
CarlG
Senior Member
 
CarlG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Anchorage, Alaska
Posts: 9,107
Default Re: Speedo not working-cable or Speedo unit?

Quote:
Originally Posted by junk yard kid View Post
keep your old speedo cable, cut it down so you can put it in a drill and test the speedometer. Drill goes in reverse.
I did this as well. Works like a charm!
CarlG is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-11-2011, 01:31 PM   #6
Peteva
Junior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 28
Default Re: Speedo not working-cable or Speedo unit?

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Your speedometer probably has dried out hard grease on the input gears and the old lube on the odometer number wheels that has them seized up so they won't turn. Do not keep trying to make it work as you will only strip gears and ruin your speedometer. It needs to be diassembled, cleaned and lubed. This can happen when one of the number wheels tries to turn to the next digit when it hasen't moved for years.

Peteva
Peteva is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-11-2011, 01:38 PM   #7
29restorod
Senior Member
 
29restorod's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: South East Michigan
Posts: 229
Default Re: Speedo not working-cable or Speedo unit?

In my first post,I said I lubricated the speedo head. It was turning fairly hard,and freed up some with the oil. It does not move off of zero. A drive gear can't break the cable.I am wondering if something broke inside.I don't know what they look like inside. I think this is the original untouched speedo,still has the lead seal.
__________________
If you think SBC's are "Old School" you are not old enough.
29restorod is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:09 PM.