MTFCA Forum

There use to be available a kit (Lang's had it) to replace the chain drive in the speedometer drive cable housing for an early Stewart speedometer that used a "modern" sheathed cable inside the original the original housing with ends for the drive and driven ends. I think it is NLA. I believe that it was a kit made by a fellow from Washington state. I have a spare good housing that I would like to set up with that kind of set up. Can anyone help? One for sale?

I too would like this information. I had his ends at one time, but I cannot find them. Sorry to butt in, but your timing is impecable.

If you can’t find what you are looking for and your housing is good why not run chain. I run chain in all my T’s with no issues. I tried one of the cable substitutes years ago and it wound up ruining a good speedometer.

There is nothing wrong with replacing the chain links with a modern cable...........IF it is done correctly! The kits Lang's sold are no longer available. I have found the cable sheathing that goes inside the original cable housing was made of plastic, and that was a big part of the problem. When I replace the inner cable with a modern wire core cable, I use a metal cable sheathing, and that solves the problem. The issue for chain links and modern replacement cables is finding the links or the cable ends to the modern cable. I hope this helps, Russ Furstnow

I set on this for awhile then just couldn't keep my big mouth shut. I've been running chains in my speedometers for 65 years, and have never had a problem, and hardly anyone drives more or faster (old #4) than I do. Lube the chain well with a good grease, I use Moly, and forget about it. I relube about every 20 years, probably should do it sooner but can never seem to get around to it.

Ed aka #4

Ed,
Is your speedo reasonably steady at speeds in the 10-25 mph range? Mine is typically +/- 5 to10 mph in those ranges, a bit like a windshield wiper. In all fairness I am new to a Stewart speedo. My other brass era cars are Jones speedo's.

Should be steady at all speeds. If it's not, the problem is generally in the speedometer not the drive. One of the mistakes most of us make is reviving a speedometer that has been dormant for 30, 50, 60 years and expect it to immediately perform properly. I'm one of those guys! I've been lucky mine have all worked okay, but really I think there's a few things that should be lubed after all those years of setting in order to assure function longevity. Russ Furstnow can explain all of that, he's the man!

Ed aka #4

I went thru my stash, and found 3 sets of ends, and enough chain to build one. I will do that this week. I still need enough chain or adapters for two more sets.
If I had a drawing, my machinest could make more ends for cables.

I have some new original chain ends - both head & clutch.

No one has any chain. I wonder if #8 jack chain would work.

big2bird wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 28, 2024 8:44 pm

No one has any chain. I wonder if #8 jack chain would work.

Might try posting a wanted ad in the classifieds. Not everyone reads this section and it's at the end of post that is about R&R not parts wanted so is only going to get X number of views from people that are looking for that kind of information.