47 Ford Speedometer Problem

[Pat/Ohio]

Hi All,

My son-in-law has a problem with his 1947 Ford speedometer. The needle is "stuck" on about 50 MPH. He recently replaced the cable with a new one that he purchased from Michael at Third Gen and while taking it for a test run he heard a loud screeching noise from the dash and noticed the needle stuck in the middle. I'm sure it has nothing to do with the cable, but probably something amiss in the speedometer.

The speedometer is free at the attachment point on the back. I inserted a short piece of speedometer cable and it turns freely (by hand) at the head unit, but the needle doesn't move. The speedometer has worked fine up until the old cable (broken) was replaced.

What say you?

Thanks,
Pat

[Ken/Alabama]

Speedometer head probably needs a good cleaning and lube.

[ford38v8]

Remove the entire unit and take it to a clock repair shop. Lubricant dries and hardens over time, and the gears cannot overcome the added stress. The screeching may indicate a stripped gear.

[Pat/Ohio]

Thanks fellows! Probably a good cleaning and lubrication is in order.

Pat

[51woodie]

Pat. The odometer quit working in the speedo for my '46 Coupe, and sending it for repair in the US from Canada would be quite expensive, so I took it apart and figured out how to fix it. The reels were stuck, and the solder joint on one of the gears sheared. Re-soldered the joint, freed up the reels with cleaning and clock oil, reassembled and it works again. If you want to try to repair yourself, straighten the front trim sections that are bent in, that connect it to the back housing. Once the front is off, remove the two screws on the back that hold the speedo in the body. Now you can access the internals for cleaning and oiling. Don't use WD40 for cleaning or oiling. I used Brake Kleen on a Q-tip to clean the bearing/shaft areas, then oiled very lightly with clock oil, that I got from a local watch repair shop. Take care, be gentle, and other than the front cover, don't force anything. Test the speedo to see if you solved the sticking issue. If all is good, remount the speedo in the body, clean the inside of the glass, put the front trim face down on a clean shop towel, set the housing in the front trim, crimp at the locations that you straightened and you should be good.

[47topless]

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Originally Posted by pat/ohio

hi all,

the speedometer has worked fine up until the old cable (broken) was replaced.



thanks,
pat

hmmmm?
When someone is installing a new cable, they need to properly lubricate it top to bottom. If not, they tend to break at the end that is installed in the tranny coupler. Just for laughs, I would disconnect the cable (at both ends) and inspect it.
Have you looked to see if the dial has simply come loose from the drive?

[51woodie]

Is it possible the inner cable is too long and the excess length shifted something inside the speedometer?

[ford38v8]

Originally Posted by 51woodie

Is it possible the inner cable is too long and the excess length shifted something inside the speedometer?

I had a cable made that was an ⅛" too long, which caused the speedo to bounce wildly. You can determine if it is too long by partially unscrewing the head at the speedo, which in effect provides additional length to the sheath.

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by Pat/Ohio

Hi All,

My son-in-law has a problem with his 1947 Ford speedometer. The needle is "stuck" on about 50 MPH. He recently replaced the cable with a new one that he purchased from Michael at Third Gen and while taking it for a test run he heard a loud screeching noise from the dash and noticed the needle stuck in the middle. I'm sure it has nothing to do with the cable, but probably something amiss in the speedometer.

The speedometer is free at the attachment point on the back. I inserted a short piece of speedometer cable and it turns freely (by hand) at the head unit, but the needle doesn't move. The speedometer has worked fine up until the old cable (broken) was replaced.

What say you?

Thanks,
Pat

[deuce lover]

Pat, It needs to be serviced,Call Baxter Ford in KS. They used to service speedos and are reasonable and did a few for me over the years. Sheldon

[Pat/Ohio]

Thanks again fellows! A lot of good info. My son-in-law has been following this thread.

Pat

[papanick]

the speedometer needs serviced when the bushing gets dry it will do that. Let me know if you still need it serviced. [email protected]

[Pat/Ohio]

Originally Posted by papanick

the speedometer needs serviced when the bushing gets dry it will do that. Let me know if you still need it serviced. [email protected]

Thank you sir! I forwarded your contact info to my son-in-law.

Pat

[papanick]

Thank you always here to help people out if I can. jr