Stiff speedometer question

[mike cobine]

Several years ago, the speedometer in my '68 quit. I pulled it and took it to a speedometer shop. In its place, I stuck a '71 since I needed to keep driving. When I got it back, I left it in a box waiting for a better day to change it back since it is an item that is so much fun to change.

Now that I'm redoing the interior, I'm changing the speedometer, but I found it a bit stiff to spin with the fingers.

I can connect it to a drill and it spins nicely, but I'm wondering if it is putting too much drag and may cause a problem later. Or have any of you had this situation of a speedometer stiff from sitting and then loosen up with use?

The shop I took it to is long gone, so I can't just run back and ask them. I'd have to take it to another.

[Dave Suesz]

Bad idea to

hope for the best with that. I'd soak out the stiff old goo with some carb cleaner, and soak in some gun oil, which resists gumming even at low temperatures.

[mike cobine]

Re: Bad idea to

Thanks, Dave. I was headed that way anyway, but I was really looking for someone to say no problem so that I wouldn't have to do that. I guess I'll just clean and lube it again this weekend and if it doesn't get easy, then off Monday to a speedo shop.