Reproduction Parts for 1916-1964 Chevrolet Passenger Cars & 1918-1987 Chevrolet & GMC Trucks



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#14408 08/27/05 10:10 AM
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Shocks Offline OP
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I was out testing My 31 when I noticed I was going to turn over from 77999 to 78000 miles on the trip. A bit later I first noticed my speed indicator swinging more than normal? Later I looked down and "NO SPEED" My first thought is my cable or a end fitting broke.
But after a while I questioned if the turning over jamed the unit maybe due to age? I would expect this is wishful thinking but I thought I would confirm.
My final question is ...does anyone know where I can purchase a new cable if needed.

Shocks

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#14409 08/27/05 10:47 AM
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Pull the internal cable out of it's housing and check it first. Then, if it is not broken, lubricate it with speedometer cable grease. If it is broken, a new one can be made up at your local speedometer shop using the old cable as a sample.

laugh laugh laugh laugh


The Mangy Old Mutt

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#14410 08/27/05 11:41 AM
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Is there a specific lube to use on the speedo cables?chef- chevy

#14411 08/27/05 01:12 PM
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Chevrolet recommend motor oil or a light grease.If grease is used apply only a light coating on the lower 2/3's of the cable,This is to prevent the grease from working its way up into the speedometer head.


Gene Schneider
#14412 08/27/05 04:56 PM
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Yes, there was a specific lube made for speedometer cables. AC Delco made one type of lube and Stewart Warner made another. laugh laugh laugh


The Mangy Old Mutt

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#14413 08/28/05 09:20 PM
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The Chevrolet garage that I worked at in the mid to late fifties dipped the cables in 90 weight gear oil let it drain a bit and put it back in,this was done almost daily on some kind of vehicle and with our cold winters there was no problems.I did a few as my part time job of turning back odometers the rest of the time I was the painter. devil


woody
#14414 08/28/05 09:28 PM
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Turning back odometers? :eek: :eek: :eek:


The Mangy Old Mutt

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#14415 08/28/05 09:30 PM
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Shocks Offline OP
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FIXED..!!!
I took it apart and found the break just about five inches from the transmission connection. What had happen over time is that it rubbed againist the break linkage arm. It finally worn throu the outerjackey.

To fix I cut the cable shield back and also installed the transmission gear fitting on the new cable. Re-installed and it appears to be working fine.. Thanks Guys.

Shocks

#14416 08/28/05 10:22 PM
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JYD We had a 53 Bel Air that didn't show its age [it was well cared for] that was traded in two times and had about 100,000 miles total but sold fast as a40000 mile car.A friend who worked with me at the time remarked just the other day about that car and how quick it sold,if they had only known what they bought.Could be why we have laws about odometer changes.


woody
#14417 08/28/05 10:29 PM
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Ya, setting back the odometer on used cars should be against the law and I am glad that it is. Even though the '53 didn't show it's age, setting back the odometer was deceptive and dishonest because the customer had to pay more for something he thought he was getting but didn't. :eek: mad mad mad


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#14418 08/29/05 03:29 AM
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Good to hear you got the cable situation fixed, Shocks.

"Rolling back" speedo's (actually odometers) is an interesting situation. Lots of folks, myself included, don't think much about some of the silly "consumer protection" laws.

However, most think the one about not tampering with speedometers is pretty good.

Bill.

#14419 08/29/05 01:02 PM
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I agree that it a dishonest practice but this was on the order of the owner who claimed to be an honest new car dealer,at least that is what the general public thought of him.A few of us knew better,I moved on to a better place to work shortly after that.


woody
#14420 08/29/05 03:52 PM
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Yep, and I'll bet that a lot of dealers that were considered honest had the odometers rolled back as well. I can remember when, as you indicated, rolling back odometers was a common practice. :( :( :(


The Mangy Old Mutt

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#14421 08/29/05 06:13 PM
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In the 1940's and 1950's it was legal for a dealer to zero a speedometer on a used car....in Wisconsin...an most higher milage cars were.Many dealers and private people also cheated on the milage.

Thats why I laugh when some one says their 1947 Chevrolet has 30,000 actual miles...if they only knew its history.


Gene Schneider
#14422 08/30/05 12:35 AM
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Yeah, There was even 16 year old kids working at service stations and salvage yards that learned how to "roll'em back" guess how I know? Kinda like Rice Krispies, Snap! Crackle! and Pop!
Snap it open, crack it apart, roll it back, and pop it back in.
It would kinda be hard to make anyone believe it now days. five slick offbrand tires and only 9000 miles on the odometer? Ha!


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