I am working on restoring my original gauge cluster and running into a problem with non functioning speedometer. The odometer works fine so know cable connection issues - I have been able to take it apart to this point- in the pictures. I believe the speed indicator needle shaft and the speed cup shaft should be connected not two distinct pieces.

Am I right?
Also How does the assembly come apart at this point?

Any schematics available or point me to where I can buy some of these parts if available?

Thanks as always

Joker Too
1953 Ford F250 Flatbed 317 LYB

 

Wish I could help you. I had mine apart and fixed it but that was 16 years ago. My speedo worked but the odometer did not. I had to get an odometer from another gauge.

I am not sure what you mean by the speed cup shaft. Do you mean should the shaft coming out of the speedo gears be attached to the shaft at the back side of the bottom of the needle? I don't think so. But it has been so long i am not sure.

I have never seen a schematic for a speedo. If they went bad they replaced the whole thing not take it apart and fix like we do now.

If and when you get it fixed right, I would put a light coat of orange/red paint on the needle and also really clean and lube the gears of the speedo and odo.

Good luck!

 

The needle is made separate from the speedometer cup and is removable. It is a light press fit. I am always a little scared to remove and install speedometer needles, but a steady hand and careful work gets the job done.

Make sure you do not get oil into the cup. The magnet and cup must not have any direct contact or oil between them. All the brass bushings in the speedometer need a very small amount of lubrication. The brass depression at the back of the speedometer near where the cable connects is an oil cup. Put a few drops of oil in there.

Once you have your speedometer assembled you can bench test it with a broken speedometer cable and a variable speed drill. Run the speedometer to 60 miles per hour and hold it there for exactly one minute. Your odometer should go exactly one mile. Adjust the spring tension on the speedometer needle as needed to get one mile in one minute at 60 m.p.h. Your speedometer is now calibrated.

I have good luck with gently waxing the gauge face to restore the colors. I use either Testors model paint or nail polish to repaint the needles. On my 53 sedan I mixed Testors and nail polish to get the color I needed.

Please keep the pictures coming as you work on your gauges.