Speedometer Reading 15 MPH in Park

[Jon S]

Took the '58 out of storage and noticed at the first stop sign it was registering 30 MPH.  above 30 MPH the needle is steady and I had lubricated it last year with graphite/oil.  After driving it for a bit, I decided to put it in reverse to see if that would correct it.  The needle about disappeared and now reads 12 - 15 MPH in Park.  Not sure if a good run at 65 will cure it (haven't tried that yet).  When last used it returned to zero just fine and still moves nice and smoothly - no shaking.  Thoughts before I pull the dash pod out?

[Blade]

Jon,

What kind of transmission do the '58s have? The '59 cables are known to act up but not exactly sure how and where, I heard most occur at the connection on the transmission.

[Jon S]

The standard 4 speed Hydramatic - same as 1959.  I took the cable out last year and lubricated it as there was a little fluctuation with the needle.  After lubrication it was steady. When I put it away last June everything was fine.  Maybe a garage gremlin?

[Dan LeBlanc]

Has the cluster ever been removed?  There's a little brass plug near where the cable connects.  Remove it.  In there is a wick that you keep wet with a few drops of lightweight oil that helps keep things lubricated.

When these cars were built, this was likely sufficient for many years of service.  Now, we're at the point well beyond what designers expected things to last.  Stuff like that will need to be tended to.

[Jon S]

Thanks Dan!

[Jon S]

Do I have to pull speedo out of the housing?  I don't see anything near the connection other than bulbs:

[Dan LeBlanc]

Looks like there's a cover over it on your 58.  I know on my 53 spare cluster, it's in plain sight.

[savemy67]

Hello Jon,

Your first post mentioned the speedo reads 12 - 15 in Park.  By this, do you mean that is where the needle settles when the car is not running?

Christopher Winter

[Jon S]

Exactly.  Now down to five after an other Reverse run.

[Coupe Deville]

WOW! That is one clean 58. That perfect dash would put my 57' to shame. And my friends 58'...

-Gavin

[Jon S]

Thanks Gavin!

[Jon S]

Well, a short run at 55 MPH has resolved the speedometer resting position!  I wasn't looking forward to removing the dash pod.

[Blade]

Glad it's working now Jon, yes it's a hassle to remove the dash. I am still wondering why it goes off and then back again, you might want to pull it regardless and lubricate.

And I agree with Gavin, that is one well maintained car especially for an all original!

[Jon S]

Thanks Blade. I'm thinking it's just from being in storage all summer. It is perfectly smooth since the last lubrication. If it acts up then I will pull the dash or if clock stops keeping accurate time.

[Tito Sobrinho]

It needs lubrication as the problem will unfortunately reoccur.

[Jon S]

It has maybe 200 miles since I lubricated it last year. Took cable out, cleaned it, lubed it and reinstalled it. I think it was a fluke but will monitor it.

[Blade]

Probably just sticking a little and need more running.

Just got the clock going in the convert again after previous owner had the car sit for 20 years. Little lubrication and it's running again. Things like these still amaze me, these old cars were just done right.

[Jon S]

Probably just sticking a little and need more running.

Just got the clock going in the convert again after previous owner had the car sit for 20 years. Little lubrication and it's running again. Things like these still amazes me, these old cars were just done right.

They were over-designed, thank goodness!

[wbdeford]

Do I have to pull speedo out of the housing?  I don't see anything near the connection other than bulbs:

Here is the back of an actual '58 cluster.  I didn't do any further disassembly

[fishnjim]

For what it's worth:
"They" told me to always use white grease, not graphite on the speedo-cable, for lube.   
They used to make a tool to inject grease in the GM cable sheaths.   It was a common source of noise back in the day.   McVey also told me that when I bought a '58 replacement cable after he checked my dash pod last year.   Also not to use the universal cables with the plastic ends.