Harry's Speedo

[Deleted User]
[Deleted User]
edited November -1 in HUDSON
I know, you're all looking now because you thought you might see a picture of me in my speedo's. You don't know me well enough to see that so let's talk about my speedometer instead. The cable is hooked up, I can hear the speedo turning but the needle isn't indicating anything and I can tell I'm moving because the scene outside keeps changing. So who is our resident speedometer expert and is there something I can do or should I just take it to a speedometer repair shop? This is a 55 Hornet so I may need to talk with Paul. Paul, what do you think?



Harry

Comments

  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Instruments in 55s are the same as 54s
  • J Spencer
    J Spencer Expert Adviser
    Harry Hill wrote:
    I know, you're all looking now because you thought you might see a picture of me in my speedo's. You don't know me well enough to see that so let's talk about my speedometer instead. The cable is hooked up, I can hear the speedo turning but the needle isn't indicating anything and I can tell I'm moving because the scene outside keeps changing. So who is our resident speedometer expert and is there something I can do or should I just take it to a speedometer repair shop? This is a 55 Hornet so I may need to talk with Paul. Paul, what do you think?



    Harry



    By your description, it sure sounds like the speedometer is bad. Time to locate a good used one or take yours to a qulified speedometer repair shop.



    As you say "I can hear the speedo turning but not moving" sure indicates bad speedo. If you disconnect cable at speedo , move it when you can see it and the cable is turning then the speedo is bad. If the cable is not turning then the problem is either a broken cable farther down or possibly a stripped gear at the end of the cable where it goes into the tranny, or at the worst a bad drive gear in the tranny.



    Have you had the speedo cable out of the tranny to inspect? Hope this gives you some guidance.



    Hudsonly, Jim Spencer
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Jim;

    everything is good up to the speedo, I can even see the needle bouncing a little so it is trying to work. Since I don't know how speedometers work I am just guessing that it is like a centrifigal clutch in that the faster it spins the tighter the clutch gets indicating more speed, don't know if it's friction or magnets but I believe that is how they work, if it's friction then something isn't grabbing. I would like to have the one in it repaired if possible so the mileage shows correctly but if not I'll buy another one.



    Harry
  • EssexAdv
    EssexAdv Expert Adviser, Member
    This is a very simple explanation of how the spedo works.

    The cable turns a drum. This drum in turn turns the pointer. The method of turning the pointer is magnetic. Either the pointer or the drum (usually the drum) is magnetic. IN either case the pointer is drawn in the direction of rotation by the resultant rotational magnetic field. This moves the pointer toward a higher speed.
    There is also a wound spring. This spring places resistance on the pointer in the opposite direction of the rotation...in other words , it tries to retard the pointers movement. When the spring is set to the right tension, the spedo is accurate.

    Frequently the problem you described is caused by one of 3 problems.
    The magnet has lost its attraction
    or
    the needle is dirty to the point that the rotation magnet won't overcome the resistance of both the dirt and the spring.
    or
    the gearing which runs the drum has broken.

    Before you get too carried away, make sure the cable is locking into both the spedo and the drive gear. If it is popping around as you say the problem might just be the cable is not seating properly. It must sit firmly into the square drive slots in both the drive and the spedo

    If this fails take the spedo out and check to make sure the needle is real free.. it should move very, very easily. Then make sure the magnet is still magnetic. An then make sure that turning the cable rotates the magnet.

    If all this works, the spedo should work.

    Also 54 and 55 spedos are different in 2 ways. The first is cosmetic. The second is the length and shape of the needle. I don't believe you can change the needle on a 54 to make it work in a 55. I assume this is true as the internal mechanism (no needle included) has a different part number from Stewart-Warner

    IF you do find a new spedo is the way to go, you can always swap the odometer drum between the 2 units to regain the correct mileage. This is a simple operation to do. All you have to do is remove the needle and the face., pop one clip and the drums come out. Do the same on ether good one and you're back in business.

    If you need a good repair place try
    R.M. Reynolds Reynolds Speedometer Repair
    2631 River Reach Drive Naples FL 34104
    (239)643-4103
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Lew; thank you, that is some great info, it gives me a place to start looking and I may be able to fi things myself. Very sorry to see your accident report and resulting back problems. I also have recurring back pain so I know what you are dealing with, get the car fixed and that will make you feel better by proxy



    Harry
  • nick s
    nick s Senior Contributor
    harry, I remembered seeing a 55 and 54 cluster on this site. I kept it bookmarked as I had talked to this guy about some work.
    look down in the pictures that show the shelves, you will notice the 55 and there looks to be a 54 behind it. in a pinch as a whole cluster you should beable to swap 1 for 1.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    I have to admit that your headline DID draw me into the thread, but now I see that it's the car that's gonna make me stay ;)
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    MustangSally73 wrote:
    I have to admit that your headline DID draw me into the thread, but now I see that it's the car that's gonna make me stay ;)



    Way back in my youth I knew a young lady named Sally who drove a mustang, her last name was Camaro, go figure. Anyway, an update on my speedo. All of a sudden today the odometer started working, now I can keep track of how far I'm going and start getting an idea on my fuel consumption. I filled up the other day after repairing the leaking filler hose and only needed 7 gallons after three weeks of back and forth to work, not really very many miles but it still doesn't seem like much fuel, especially when I figure I spilled about two gallons on the first trip. I got the timing set today, it was about 6 degrees advanced over the suggested setting. I'll see if this smooths things out.



    Harry
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