Hi, sorry to be jumping right in with a question, I've actually found alot of answers just searching around here but this one I can't lock down. I've had issues with my speedometer needle, and after I replaced the speedometer cable it just called it quits. I'm thinking, I need to start searching the internet for a whole new unit, but it would be nice to hear if anyone has been able to replace just the needle, and the best place to buy a cable that actually fits right. Thanks. Oh, guess I should mention, it's a '49 pickup.

 

First, welcome to the board, second, questions are one of the main reasons for this board so don't apologize for jumping in with a question.

One of the main causes I've found for inoperative speedometers is lubrication. If the cable isn't properly lubricated it can just stop working or act erratically. Improper lubricant can cause a lot of problems too. Did you use speedometer lubricant, which is just powdered graphite? If not make sure the cable and casing is clean, reinstall the casing, insert graphite and then the cable and see how it works.

 

Wow, hadn't heard about that bit of maintenance. The initial problem is that the needle started flapping around, then sort of popped away from the face of the speedometer, like it was sprung. There definitely seems to be a streched-out spring attached to it, and it's laying at the bottom of the unit. (It's pulled out, as I've been looking for a way to replace the needle)

 

OUCH! Sounds like you have a more serious problem than lubrication. Time to either take it in and have it repaired of find a new used one. The speedos show up on eBay fairly often, in fact I just sold one last week.

 

That's what I was afraid of. I'll start searching ebay. Next on the list, fixing the heater and finding a way to eliminate the gaps that let in cold air from underneath... Pretty nonessential stuff anyway. The speedo is way more critical.

 

If you have a good speedometer shop in your town, they may be able to repair it and make you a cable that fits correctly. Might be worth a try.

Welcome to FTE BTW

 

I think I'll hunt down that possibility, I haven't been able to find one for a '49 and the ones for slightly newer trucks are pretty pricey. Guess I just need to get serious about networking, the only person I know who likes to work on cars is Swedish and only does Volvos.

 

Does anyone know if a speedometer head or the speedometer head parts themselves for a 1951/52 will work on 1948/50's?

C9TZ17255C .. Speedometer Head / C9TZ-17255-C replaced 1C-17255-A / Obsolete

Fits: 1951/52 All Trucks / 1957/77 P Series Parcel Delivery

KINSEL L/M in Beaumont TX has EIGHT: 800-816-2894.

PARTS INTERNATIONAL in Farmers Branch TX has EIGHT: 888-727-0418.

BOB ALLEN FORD in Overland Park KS has FIVE: 800-676-0675.

GREEN SALES COMPANY in Cincinnati OH has ONE: 800-543-4959.

Kinsel L/M will prolly be the cheapest.
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A jumping speedo needle can be caused by a dry speedometer cable core or a partially stripped DRIVEN gear that fits onto the end of the cable.

Inside the speedometer cable housing is a woven steel core.

When it dries out, it will bind up inside the housing and eventually snap.

A "universal" cable core kit can be bought at autoparts stores. All that is required is to cut it to length, install in the housing.

 

On the back of the speedo
there is a felt pad to oil
that may help

Joe

 

There isn't any reason why not. Converting one of the PD 51/52 style speedos to fit 48-50 would simply be a matter of gently removing the two small rivets that hold on the face and remounting it on a 48-50 face. After that it should mount up ok. Outer case diameter may be different - I'm not sure of that. I swapped out the works of a speedometer to another body/face and it was VERY easy.

From a gearing standpoint they should be the same because the registered speed was a function of the transmission rpm and that gear would remain the same with either speedometer. The actual works of the speedometer are only about 1"x2" inside the housing.

New 48-50 speedo face decals are available on e-bay all the time - might be as easy as gluing one of those on a 51/52 speedo.

I do know that teh 51/52 speedo had two brackets tacked onto th ebody of the speedo case to mount it directly to the dash. And the 48-50 was mounted to the instrument cluster which in turn mounted to the dash.

 

Does anyone know the route of the speedometer cable through the fire wall to the trans. Think mines in a bind and jumping to.Thanks for any help.

 

There's are raised spot, about the 1:00 position, on the transmission cover. The cable comes from the speedo, through the raised spot, over the transmission and to the rear to the speedo hookup on the trans.

 

Thanks again Bob,
I've been able to get through most of this build buy just following the threads, try not to ask to many dumb questions. LOL
Thankyou again:-)