Speedometer oil. Isn't that special

[Frank Blackstone]

In consulting the official service manual I see that the recommended lubricant for the speedometer display is speedometer oil. I can not imagine it is anything better than light machine oil, read 3 in 1 oil. I am open to discussion if anyone has creditable knowledge on this subject. Thanks, Frank

[Norm's Coupe]

Frank, I believe the speedo oil they have in the book is actually graphite. However, any light weight oil like 3 in 1 will work. Graphite just works a little better, plus I don't believe it attracts and holds as much dirt as regular light weight oil might do.

I say graphite because I remember my grandfather would lube his speedo with a tube of it back in the 50's. It was labeled as speedo lube.

[De Soto Frank]

Would suggest either 3 in 1 "electric motor oil" ( SAE 20 Non-detergent) or if your local hardware store sells a "Zoom-Spout Oiler" (same type oil) in a 4 oz plastic squeeze bottle with a long tube that pulls-out, get that...much easier to get the dispensing end up to that oiler hole w/o trying to cram a whole can/bottle up under the dash.

About 4-6 drops sould be sufficient.

Is your speedo squealing or chattering ?

[greg g]

Sewing machine, hair clipper oil is in the neighborhood also.

[busycoupe]

I saw the note in the service manual also, but I'm not sure where to oil. It says in the 'cup'. Should I unscrew the cable and put a couple of drops into the speedo head? or into the speedo cable? or both? My speedometer reads about 5 mph low at 40 mph, and does not seem to want to read above 50 mph. It also bounces a little.

[david lazarus]

May pay to also check you speedo cable which can get a bit gummed up.

I removed mine from the car, removed the inner portion and repeatedly tipped kerosene down the middle of the outer. Lubed it up and back in. Do not kink the cable when re-installing

[Norm's Coupe]

I saw the note in the service manual also, but I'm not sure where to oil. It says in the 'cup'. Should I unscrew the cable and put a couple of drops into the speedo head? or into the speedo cable? or both? My speedometer reads about 5 mph low at 40 mph, and does not seem to want to read above 50 mph. It also bounces a little.

Either your cable is gummed up or the speedo in the dash needs lubing, or both. Follow David's instructions for both.

[Frank Blackstone]

I knew you guys would have a good answer. I do have a tube of graphite powder I use on locks as advertised. Good to know it will also work there with less gumming than oil to stop my bouncing chattering speedometer. I had lubed the cable when I rebuilt the transmission but it still as noisy. Thanks, Frank

[Niel Hoback]

I use synthetic gun oil in mine, it seems to stay thin in the winter. No, its not for synthetic guns.

[Don Coatney]

I saw the note in the service manual also, but I'm not sure where to oil. It says in the 'cup'. Should I unscrew the cable and put a couple of drops into the speedo head? or into the speedo cable? or both? My speedometer reads about 5 mph low at 40 mph, and does not seem to want to read above 50 mph. It also bounces a little.

There is an oil cup on the back of the speedometer pictured to the left of where the cable attaches. Yours may be different as I have seen the oil cup facing the top on some speedometers.

[busycoupe]

Thanks Don,

I'll go crawl under the dash with my 'Zoom' spout oil and put a few drops in it.