speedometer problem

[1967vert]

Hi guys, I am having a problem with my speedometer in our 67 vert. I was driving it a few weeks ago and noticed the needle was bouncing a little bit, a few miles down the road I heard a sound coming from the speedo cable, I think, and then it quit working.
What would you suggest the first thing I should check?

Thanks, Phil

:banghead:

[fatherlarry]

Welcome aboard 67Vert,

It's a common problem on those years. Usually the lubricant in between the speedometer cable and rubber casing starts to dry out, applying pressure on the gear in the transmission that operates the speedometer. Also, a common problem with Tach. You have to check the gear in the transmission, by loosening the fork, pulling out the cable with the gear, and see if the teeth are marred. Also, check the cable that's going into the housing of the gear to see if the housing is stripped where the cable fits into. If that doesn't seem to be the problem, then go into the speedometer head and see if there is any damage there, starting where the C clamp holds the speedometer cable in, and then start looking for damage there on. Hopefully, it's down by the transmission, so you'd have to get a new gear and cable. When you order the gear, make sure you give them the right ratios so it will be calibrated right for your car. If you need parts, Stoudts Corvettes carries every part you made need, and will also be able to answer any questions you have. Don't forget to tell them that you're a member of FatherLarry's Corvette shop, for your discount. Good luck, post some pics of the car and let us know how you make out.

PS. its better to order a new cable then mess around with trying to grease the old one. Usually there's a lot of play in the housing which would cause a fluctuation on the speedometer needle.

[1967vert]

Thanks Father Larry.
That was my game plan also, I just wanted some opinions as this is our first Corvette and I am not to familiar with yet.
It looks like I am going to get more familiar with though as I just had to replace the brake light switch down on the pedal. That is not an easy task for a guy that is 6'1" :lol:

Here is a pic of our baby from the Philly auto show in 2003.

Thanks again, Phil

[1967vert]

one more pic of our baby.

[fatherlarry]

That Vette is a beauty! And, not only my first choice in Vettes, but when you think of a Corvette, the C2 is the ultimate. I'm 55 and retired from body work and I bought an '04 Mach 1. A friend of mine wanted to swap me his '66 coupe, all matching number 327, factory air, four speed, factory side pipes and the speedometer stopped at around 87 thousand miles. The only thing that wasn't factory was the stinger hood from the '67. I was really tempted to do the swap, but the maroon paint was re-shot and cracking in certain areas. The interior was mint but I had to rebuild the gauges, put new knobs on it. Being the car was from Nevada and everything was original except the ball joints, that would mean that I would have to go through all the bushings, ball joints, tie rod ends, etc. Being in the auto body business, I would have ended up stripping the car and doing a ground up restoration and rebuilding the engine. Being retired, I'm just not in the mood anymore. However, it still nags at me that I had a chance to get a C2 hardtop. One part of me says that I don't need the work, and the other part tells me that I blew it.

So I know what you mean by getting under. If it's any help to you, MKotze, our technician, lives in Bethlehem, PA. He's a 53 yr old gentlman who has been Outten Chevrolets mechanic for over 20 yrs. He works on all Corvettes, but his specialty is C2's. He has a shop at home and services mostly all Corvettes in the Lehigh Valley. He is very very affordable and a man you can trust with your fine collectible. Give him a call (610) 867-4829. Even though you can do the work yourself, it might work out cheaper for you then paying the higher prices of these specialty shops out there. You'll make a friend also. I wouldn't trust anyone besides myself to work on my Vette, but I would trust Mike.

By the Way, if you have the July 2004 edition of Corvette Fever, there's a whole article in it about the problem you're having with your speedometer cable and head. Thanks for sharing the pics.

You are a very lucky man to have a piece of American Corvette history. We are honored to have you as a member on our forum.:usaribbon :usaribbon ;bt

[Ed@Cleartastic]

Well since Fatherlarry took care of your question...I'll just say welcome 1967vert, and wow, what a killer ride!

Good luck

Ed:cheers:

[1967vert]

Thanks for the info Father Larry and thanks for the welcome Ed.

I subscribe to 'Vette magazine but not Corvette Fever.
If anyone can scan the article that Father Larry mentioned and email it to me I would really appreciate it.

Thanks again guys and Happy Holidays!!!

Phil