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Stiff Speedometer head

Posted: Fri Jun 28, 2019 11:21 am
by Windsor
I have a Stewart speedometer that looks like it's in pretty decent shape . When I try to turn the input shaft it is very tight . I can't turn it with my fingers , but it turns with a screwdriver . ---Any ideas on the best aproach ?[image][/image]

Re: Stiff Speedometer head

Posted: Fri Jun 28, 2019 11:33 am
by Dropacent
Mike, more good speedo heads have been destroyed doing just that. 100 year old grease can harden and really gum up the works.Sometimes the white metal parts swell up a bit, and need some tune up help. Find a local competent watch or clock repairman to go through it, or send it to one of the speedometer specialists out there. Russ Furstnow is well renowned. If you are real handy, it can be a fun doityourself job, too. Good luck, looks like a great head.

Re: Stiff Speedometer head

Posted: Fri Jun 28, 2019 11:35 am
by otrcman
Mike,

It's not uncommon for mechanical instrument grease to "congeal" after so many years. If nothing is broken, a competent spedometer repairman can clean and re-lube the speedometer and it will work for many years.

There are several good people doing Model T speedometers. I don't have a list of names, but Russ Furstnow comes to mind. He's well known for doing first class work.

One last thing: I'd suggest that you not turn the speedometer in its current condition. The gears in the unit are usually very soft metal and you can break them in a heartbeat.

Dick

Re: Stiff Speedometer head

Posted: Fri Jun 28, 2019 1:06 pm
by Russ T Fender
My approach is to send them to Russ Furstnow. I have been running speedometers serviced by Russ without issue for more years than I care to admit.

Re: Stiff Speedometer head

Posted: Sat Jun 29, 2019 9:15 am
by Windsor
I talked to Russ , and I have his book . very Knowledgable guy . I'm trying it myself , and have determined that the white metal has grown tight on the drive shaft . I'm at a pause as I try and figure out how to remove the drive shaft from the magnetic drum . Russ's price seemed very reasonable , I'm doing it for the challenge . ---It still may wind up in a box in the mail .

Re: Stiff Speedometer head

Posted: Sat Jun 29, 2019 9:20 am
by Original Smith
That is one of the finest '13 speedometers I've ever seen. Don't mess it up please!

Re: Stiff Speedometer head

Posted: Sat Jun 29, 2019 10:04 am
by Windsor
[image][/image]I've got it down to the point where the shaft has to be taken out of the white metal casting so that I can hone the casting . just not sure if the shaft can be tapped up ? or if it has to come out of the drum and go down ?

Re: Stiff Speedometer head

Posted: Sat Jun 29, 2019 11:17 am
by BobD
Careful removal of the wedge pin (red arrow) should enable removal of shaft. Wedge pin is only removable in one direction. One must determine which is the small and large ends of the pin.
speedo.jpg
speedo.jpg (70.31 KiB) Viewed 4290 times

Re: Stiff Speedometer head

Posted: Sat Jun 29, 2019 11:31 am
by Dropacent
Way to go, Mike. These things are all fixable, and not computer science. Carbs, starters, generators, speedometers etc,etc Love the person who isn’t afraid to do it themselves !!

Re: Stiff Speedometer head

Posted: Sat Jun 29, 2019 1:44 pm
by Windsor
Interesting Tim that mine didn't have the pin . I wound up using a small punch to tap the shaft out of the drive dog . I think that there just wasn't enough end float in the drive shaft . everything turns freely now , but the speed drum seems to be sticking .