1956 Thunderbird speedometer needs lubing

[zuburg]

The speedometer on my 1956 Thunderbird screeched and the needle jumped all over the place. I’ve read on the forum that there is supposed to be an oil hole to put in some light oil, but I don’t find such a hole on mine. The only hole I see is on the end of the shaft where the speedo cable attaches. Can someone tell me where the oil goes?

 

[zuburg]

I took another look and may have found the lubrication hole. Please see the new photo and confirm whether the red arrow is pointing to the hole.

Thanks

 

[Dobie Gillis]

That would be it. There's usually a piece of felt in it. Just soak the felt with oil, I prefer 3 in 1, and you're good to go.

 

[Merc Cruzer]

That would be it. There's usually a piece of felt in it. Just soak the felt with oil, I prefer 3 in 1, and you're good to go.

I too use 3-in-1 oil for the spedo, in my 53' Merc and it works great. Problem is no one seems to carry it any more, unless I go on Amazon.

Went into my local Ace Hardware and asked a kid where is the 3-in-1 oil. He actually said "I've never heard of it, what is it used for?".

FYI: https://www.fohbc.org/PDF_Files/3-In-One_Oil_CMunsey.pdf

 

[Dobie Gillis]

If you have a Lowe's nearby they should have it, that's where I got mine. Otherwise check similar stores like Home Depot, Tractor Supply, etc. Interesting story about the bottles. My Mom has a can my Dad bought some time in the early 50's. It still has oil in it.

 

[Ole Don]

I used ATF in mine, seems to have worked.

 

[zuburg]

Update:
I used a dental mirror to see into the hole and thought I saw a small screw. Since there was no way to get a screwdriver in there I decide to explore. I used a 90 degree dental pick to poke around in the hole. I was able to push the pick quite deep (see the pictures). I tried to add some oil but could not tell if any got through. I even left the pick in, added oil and wiggled the pick all around hopefully to help some oil get through. It felt like I was pushing the pick through some kind of rubber membrane.

Has anyone seen anything like a rubber plug in this hole? If so is there a way to pull out the plug?

Is there anything else that could use some oil while I have the cluster out.

 

[paul2748]

What you are feeling is probably the felt piece that is supposed to be in there as was mentioned above.

 

[Dobie Gillis]

3 in 1 has a squeeze bottle with a flexible tube that looks like just the ticket for getting oil into that hole.

 

[Merc Cruzer]

3 in 1 has a squeeze bottle with a flexible tube that looks like just the ticket for getting oil into that hole.

As I said in a previous post, 3-in-1 oil is hard to find. I wound up ordering it from my local O'Reillys and they had to get it from the warehouse. All they had were the standard 3oz bottles.

I have had this bottle for quite some time, it works perfectly for my 53' Merc spedo.

Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/3-ONE-Multi-Purpose-Telescoping-Spout/dp/B0083V8LDG?tag=atomicindus08-20

Walmart:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/3-IN-ONE-Multi-Purpose-Oil-with-Telescoping-Marksman-Spout-4-OZ/716444125

 

[40cpe]

My Mom has a can my Dad bought some time in the early 50's. It still has oil in it.

We've been in this house 50 years. This can has been in the cabinet above the water heater as long as I can remember. It still has the remnants of a paper price tag on it.

 

[zuburg]

Update:
I was able to put a couple of drops of oil in the small hole and came back an hour later and it was gone so I kept adding oil and giving it time to absorb. Over time it stopped feeling like rubber and softened up. Eventually it started absorbing faster and faster and I could spin the moving part freely and smoothly. I have no idea how much oil I added but I hope it lasts a long time. SPEEDO WORKS FINE NOW!!

 

[dmsfrr]

Update:
.... SPEEDO WORKS FINE NOW!!

Great news!

..... It still has the remnants of a paper price tag on it.

Same here...

 

[cokefirst]

The comment about the young man at the hardware store who told you he never heard of 3 in one oil made me laugh. I recently went to target to get a squeegee. I asked a worker who was in his late 20's and he said he never heard of it either. Where do they come from and why are they out on their own?

 

[KULTULZ]

I recently went to target to get a squeegee. I asked a worker who was in his late 20's and he said he never heard of it either. Where do they come from and why are they out on their own?

These are the same generation that is running the government now and as they keep getting dumbed down will only get worse.

This is what is scary ...