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


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Backyard Mechanic
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Backyard Mechanic
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I just bought/received a N.O.S. Speedometer cable & housing that has never been installed... Should I pour 3in1 oil down the cable housing..? or motor oil...? or diluted wheel bearing grease....? diluted Corn head grease...?? My repair manual for the 1934 master has nothing to say about it.... recommendations please..


1934 Chevrolet Master sedan
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I pull the cables out and coat with a light grease.
Corn head grease will be fine, no need to dilute it.
Be very careful to keep the coat of grease very thin at the speedometer end of the cable.
If there is too much grease on the speedometer end, the cable will actually "auger" the grease into the speedometer itself.
And you DON'T want that!

PS
I've done several as above.
Even old noisy, jumpy cables go quiet and smooth.
Never had one give trouble after treated this way.

Last edited by Stovblt; 09/29/22 11:58 AM.

Ole S Olson
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It is recomended that you lubricate only the lower 2/3 of the cable to prevent grease from working up itn to the speedometer head.


Gene Schneider
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The speedo repair shop I used recommended lubriplate #105. Apply liberally to the lower two thirds of the cable as suggested above and then wipe down leaving just what remains between the coils of the cable.

Last edited by m006840; 09/29/22 08:45 PM.

Steve D
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Most greases are lithium greases.
Or lithium complex greases.

In my experience, white lithium grease (Lubriplate specifically) tends to dry out much faster over time than other multipurpose greases.
It then became quite a drag on the cable resulting in a bouncing speedometer.


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Lubriplate #105 is what I use and when I checked the specs it is listed as a mineral oil product with calcium as a thickener and zinc-oxide additive so I have edited my above post.

Last edited by m006840; 09/29/22 08:51 PM.

Steve D
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Backyard Mechanic
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Thanks for the feedback.... I think I will use corn head grease... it has worked very well for me lubing steering boxes and enclosed ball knuckles on 4x4 front axels... It has a medium consistency... not as thick as wheel bearing grease and softer and flows better in colder weather... thicker than 120 W rear end oil..... Great advice about only doing the bottom 2/3 or 3/4 of the cable.....


1934 Chevrolet Master sedan

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