I had the exact same problem. I was driving along and the needle started bouncing. I lubed the cable but it didn't help and then the cable broke. I removed the speedo, It wasn't easy since is has factory turn signals.
I connected the drill with a square bit and it wouldn't turn. I sprayed the speedo gears with wd-40 and it freed up. I then oiled the lube port. It works fine now. Rebuilt speedos are very pricey and probably aren't really rebuilt but only lubed.

 

Abe, thanks for the info on the drill
Bill, ( Number Dummy )Just getting ready to pm you. Thank you.. Here is what I have. The cable definitely broke because the speedometer head got binded up. I put a small sq bit in in and could not turn it. I did what I could to research a part number for the speed ometer FAD-17255C. 1954 F-750 Q model, 5 speed HD If I buy a universal cable, how do I put the ends on?. First I have to secure a speedometer. How does that part number look ?. As always. I appreciate all that you do.

Jim G

 

MIKEDEL

Thank you for that info. I will go our and try to WD-40 it

 

Dave (df85732) Nice to hear from you. The move is coming hopefully in May. I still have the truck. A hard thing to sell. FDNY has been getting hit very hard lately. Please stay safe. My son ( Lt. FDNY ) has been going to funerals and wakes all week.

 

Bill ( number Dummy ). Went out and pulled cable. It had snapped off at transmission. Pulled it out of housing and put sheath in a bucket of WD-40. Will go tomorrow to get a universal cable. I will let you know how it turned out. thanks

MikeDEL. Put some lube in assembly. Could turn with drill in reverse. I assume you can not turn by hand, that is what I was trying to do the first time

 

If you don't want to mess with the universal woven steel core, you could get one of these...

B7C-17260-A .. Speedometer Cable & Housing Assy. - 69.20" long / Obsolete ~ 3 available NOS

This is the FoMoCo service part replacement for the original 1953/56 F700/900 cable. Also, it's the original cable for misc. 1957/60 F100/900's.

Pic: 1953/56 B7C-17260-A applications:

 

A little update guys Went to napa to get a replacement universal speedometer core. Installed same and lubricated the core with graphite. Also lubricated the speedometer it self. Got it where I could spin it with my hand. Tested the speedometer with a drill in reverse When I assembled it on the bench. Here is where it gets a little odd. When I took the truck out to road test, the odometer works and tracks the distance. But the speedometer does not move. Took it out three times, took it apart and always works with the drill and when I turn it by hand. Somehow, it does not work in the truck. I am thinking the magnetic field of the D'Arsonval movement is breaking down or being shunted by by something. I rearranged the wires by the cluster and still can't get it to work. But the odometer still turns. Any thoughts. ( the new cable is quiet )

 

Same thing happened to me. I think I slightly bent the needle during installation and it hangs up and doesn't move unless I hit the speedo with the side of my fist while I'm moving. Then it moves and registers the correct speed. I checked it with a speedometer app I my phone and it's within about 5 to 10 %. I'm afraid to take the speedometer out again to bend the needle because I'm afraid I might make it worse.

 

MikeDel. The strange thing with mine is that it works on the bench with the drill or when I turn it by hand. As soon as I put it in the truck. It does not work, but the odometer does. If it were stuck, it would stick on the bench as well. I even tilted it at all angles on the bench. It still worked.

 

For mine the needlel is touching something when it's installed because it is slightly bent.

 

I did have trouble with that also. but was able to adjust it a bit

 

The universal core may be too short?