Worden18 Posted September 29, 2021 Report Share Posted September 29, 2021 I just hooked up a new speedometer cable on my 48 B1C. Bought it from DCM. It seems to be really squealy and somewhat jumpy. The squealing I can definitely hear from the speedometer, not underneath. I fed the cable in straight and tightened it pretty good. My question is: Is it supposed to be lubed before installation, and if so, what do I use? I've never installed one before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wallytoo Posted September 29, 2021 Report Share Posted September 29, 2021 (edited) 19 minutes ago, Worden18 said: I just hooked up a new speedometer cable on my 48 B1C. Bought it from DCM. It seems to be really squealy and somewhat jumpy. The squealing I can definitely hear from the speedometer, not underneath. I fed the cable in straight and tightened it pretty good. My question is: Is it supposed to be lubed before installation, and if so, what do I use? I've never installed one before. a new cable shouldn’t require lube, but the speedo might. i seem to remember an oil wick on the back of the speedo unit. Edited September 29, 2021 by wallytoo 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravisL17 Posted September 29, 2021 Report Share Posted September 29, 2021 I can't speak to the new cable and if needs to be lubricated. I can say that last winter I lubed my speedometer cable with liquid graphite lube and oiled the speedometer oil wick with clock oil. It cured the bounce my speedometer had when going under 20mph. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dodgeb4ya Posted September 29, 2021 Report Share Posted September 29, 2021 The speedometer head is probably the cause of the squealing...there is a 3/4" long tube with a screw driver slot in it. Unscrew it and you will find a wick in it to lube with.. Hopefully the fine oil will fix the issue. The cable should be lubed too if not already. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Worden18 Posted September 30, 2021 Author Report Share Posted September 30, 2021 (edited) Pic 1: picking up the kids out front for a test drive. Pic 2: you can see here the wick is as dry as the desert. I suppose it had never been touched. Pic 3: it says in the back of the speedometer assembly that it is made in the USA in LaCrosse Wisconsin, just down the road from us! Pic 4: the wick soaking up some light oil. Pic 5: speedometer guts on the bench. I used Super lube lightweight Grease on the worm gear and mating gear that run the odometer. The remnants of grease that was still on it was old and dry. The whole assembly was very stiff before the greasing and lubrication. No wonder it made a bunch of noise. Final pic: back in business. No noise and no jumping of the needle. Thanks for the help fellas! I would have never guessed that there was a wick that needed greasing. Edited September 30, 2021 by Worden18 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
9 foot box Posted September 30, 2021 Report Share Posted September 30, 2021 Back on June 22,2020, BrentB3B was working on a speedometer. There is a way to set the needle at zero. B1B Kevin is also a resource for gauge refurbishing. Your lucky it didn’t twist your new cable. I hooked up a speedometer on a chassis I had and twisted the cable at the same place, I assumed it would work, but it was more froze up than yours. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaige Posted October 20, 2021 Report Share Posted October 20, 2021 Looking for some B1D knowledge. I am ready to install a new speedometer cable after being apart for 4 years. I can’t seem to find a picture of where and how to route it from the transmission to the speedometer. Does it go through the floor, inside the cab. (under the mat, close to the firewall) or out into the engine compartment and back through the firewall into the speedometer? Grommet through the floor and or firewall? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Worden18 Posted October 20, 2021 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2021 (edited) 1 hour ago, Gaige said: Looking for some B1D knowledge. I am ready to install a new speedometer cable after being apart for 4 years. I can’t seem to find a picture of where and how to route it from the transmission to the speedometer. Does it go through the floor, inside the cab. (under the mat, close to the firewall) or out into the engine compartment and back through the firewall into the speedometer? Grommet through the floor and or firewall? You can see the general area where mine comes up through the floor. The shifter and the accelerator are good references. It was a bear to feed it up through there. The previous owner also put a homemade grommet there. I just ran it along the frame and around to the transmission underneath. When you feed it through the floor I just ran it across towards the passenger side. Hope this helps. Edited October 20, 2021 by Worden18 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaige Posted October 20, 2021 Report Share Posted October 20, 2021 Thanks Worden—I have that hole in the floorboard— but I could not remember where I took cable out from. I think I may have a grommet on hand that will fit there. There is also a spring around the new cable from Roberts, any idea where it goes ? For support? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Worden18 Posted October 20, 2021 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2021 9 hours ago, Gaige said: Thanks Worden—I have that hole in the floorboard— but I could not remember where I took cable out from. I think I may have a grommet on hand that will fit there. There is also a spring around the new cable from Roberts, any idea where it goes ? For support? I'm stumped on the spring.... I'll look at my B1D tonight and see if I can locate one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merle Coggins Posted October 20, 2021 Report Share Posted October 20, 2021 A spring around the new cable??? As in abrasion protection? I don't recall any springs. There should be a p-clamp to attach the cable housing to the firewall just above where it comes through the floor. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plymouthy Adams Posted October 20, 2021 Report Share Posted October 20, 2021 Merle...first I have heard it called a P clamp....it however does make sense looking at it. I come to know this as an ADEL clamp....maybe because of my military maintenance background...before than it was just a loop....so I guess if someone was to mention P clamp now I won't wince in pain at the thought of restriction.....lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaige Posted October 20, 2021 Report Share Posted October 20, 2021 Thanks fellows — the spring does look. Like it may be for abrasion protection. The old cable has the clamp on it..Good one about the P clamp. unrelated —- I’m also putting in my new windshield, but the inside trim around the window has staples in the edge of it. I’m told it had (welting) on it. Is it needed? Should I be concerned about finding some to put it back on? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dodgeb4ya Posted October 20, 2021 Report Share Posted October 20, 2021 A "P" cable clamp or clip is used to position the cable to the firewall insulator. A push in sawtooth metal retainer clip holds it in place. It is approximately 12" straight up from the cable exit hole in the floor board. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaige Posted October 20, 2021 Report Share Posted October 20, 2021 (edited) Thanks Dodge B4ya,. I’ll look For that hole. Edited October 20, 2021 by Gaige Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dodgeb4ya Posted October 20, 2021 Report Share Posted October 20, 2021 (edited) You can see the cable and clip... Edited October 20, 2021 by Dodgeb4ya Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBNeal Posted October 20, 2021 Report Share Posted October 20, 2021 additional information - speedometer cable routing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaige Posted October 20, 2021 Report Share Posted October 20, 2021 the spring I was talking about and the old clamp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WallyPT81 Posted January 12 Report Share Posted January 12 Purchased a speedo cable from DCM for my 1939 plymouth truck .Trans end of cable fits fine ,but speedometer has internal thread and will not accept female tread on new cable .Was this a one off thread change for 1939? Can a split nut or union be inserted ? Anyone run into this issue? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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