Speedo not working-cable or Speedo unit?

[29restorod]

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.

 

[Tom Wesenberg]

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.

 

[Brother A]

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.

 

[junk yard kid]

keep your old speedo cable, cut it down so you can put it in a drill and test the speedometer. Drill goes in reverse.

 

[CarlG]

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!

 

[Peteva]

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

 

[29restorod]

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.