VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 First long drive

I took my recently bought 31 roadster out for a longer run yesterday to a local cruise. It ran pretty good. When I came home a friend followed me and later reported that it went down the road straight. I thought I was running at about 35 MPH but he told me I was actually going about 45. I had a little spitting from the radiator but I overfilled it. All in all a good first long run.

Super! Enjoy your car!

All the Best, Chip

Congratulations, hope when I get my 4dr on the road I have the same sort of experience. The speedometer better be right though, or JYD is going to be mad! LOL (he calibrated it for me)

Super...Enjoy your car.....

This is my first year with my 1930 sedan. Hope you enjoy yours as much as I am mine. I also wanted to know my correct speed so I download an free speedometeor app on my smartphone. It works great. Verified it was accurate in my 2011 HHR. Then out in the 1930. The speedometeor is correct until 40 mph. Then I am out. Something to work on this winter.

I'll have to look for that app. In the past I have had my wife drive behind me then use a walky talky to co-ordinate. That can get tricky and not super accurate.

Speedometer calibration can change over time. They tend to lose magnetism, but that usually takes years. If it had recently been boosted to just within spec it could have lost some with environmental changes, but that is rare. It is important to keep in mind that magnetic speedometers are a balancing act when it comes to calibration and the difference in comparison between two speedometers on the road depends much upon the running gear, tires, etc. Check that you have the correct drive gear by timing the odometer rollover. GPS is great, but I've found that people expect GPS accuracy from old speedometers and that just doesn't happen. Anyway, double check with the GPS and determine if your drive gear needs fewer teeth.

Well I know what my problem is with my speedometeor. It is me.
My speedometeor cable broke so I found that the speedometeor was seized. So I ordered new cable and took apart my speedometeor. Cleaned all parts and lube with lite 3 in 1 oil. (Found there is a felt pad behind the screw that holds magnet on that should be oiled. Hope someone with way more knowledge can confirm this). Anyways put it all back together and speedometeor works fine until I get to 37 mph. Then it will not go any further. So I have put magnet in wrong or have incorrect spring pressure. Whatever I have done it will be a good winter job to fix. Having to much fun driving now.

Yes, there is a felt wick behind the screw that you are referencing that is used to oil the main shaft. A few drops of oil should be put on the felt wick.