Speedo question

[70inline6]

1960 gauges w/idiot lights:

I took out my gauge cluster to replace the burned out bulbs and to see what happened to the speedometer needle (missing?). When I got the center cluster out of the instrument panel I found that the needle was broken in half, and that the point part was just laying inside the cluster. Hmmm??

I super-glued the needle back together, replaced the bulbs and put it back in the truck. This weekend on my first drive since, the speedometer needle moved COUNTER clockwise and buried itself below "0". Hmmmmmm????

Are any of these trucks designed differently - have a CCW gear drive in the trans? Different SIDE of the trans? WTF?

Anyone had this happen or is the plastic gear in mine for some other application? Strange indeed.

[luvbowties]

Originally Posted by 70inline6

1960 gauges w/idiot lights:

I took out my gauge cluster to replace the burned out bulbs and to see what happened to the speedometer needle (missing?). When I got the center cluster out of the instrument panel I found that the needle was broken in half, and that the point part was just laying inside the cluster. Hmmm??

I super-glued the needle back together, replaced the bulbs and put it back in the truck. This weekend on my first drive since, the speedometer needle moved COUNTER clockwise and buried itself below "0". Hmmmmmm????

Are any of these trucks designed differently - have a CCW gear drive in the trans? Different SIDE of the trans? WTF?

Anyone had this happen or is the plastic gear in mine for some other application? Strange indeed.

Could this adapter solve your dilemna? Further Googling may reveal one that attaches to tranny instead of the speedo itself.
>> http://www.summitracing.com/parts/atm-990340 <<

Have you checked to see if there is an unneeded, rotation-reversing adapter already on either end of the cable? If so, maybe just remove it and solve the problem.

Trying to imagine just how the speedo is configured, I picture a magnetic field rotating around the needle's 'pickup anchor'--the faster the magnet spins, the further the needle rotates toward a faster number. If so--all theory, remember--maybe the field needs reversing...like maybe somebody had the speedo apart and installed something backwards...which caused the magnetic field to be reversed relative to the pickup-anchor. I'd surely try to reverse the mag field OR its 'pickup'-wiring before spending ~$65 on an adapter. May just need reversing 2 wires, or reversing the mounting position of a permanent magnet! In this case, South matters! Luck to you.
Sam

[1963c-10]

Moving counter clockwise is what probably broke the needle. The needles are weighted on the short end, and the glue may throw off the actual speed inticated as the weight of the needle is changed. As to it running in reverse...never heard of it on a 60-66 chevy. What transmission is in the truck? Is the speedometer cable on the pass or driver side of the trans?

[70inline6]

Originally Posted by 1963c-10

...The needles are weighted on the short end, and the glue may throw off the actual speed inticated as the weight of the needle is changed. As to it running in reverse...never heard of it on a 60-66 chevy. What transmission is in the truck? Is the speedometer cable on the pass or driver side of the trans?

I'm fairly certain this truck has the stock 3-spd in it though I haven't shimmied under that part of the truck yet. I did have the speedometer cluster opened and noted there's a (return?) spring, like a delicate watch spring around the speedometer shaft. I adjusted the needle on the shaft so that it freely spun CLOCKWISE and then reset to ZERO when I let go of it. I then glued the needle end back on. The break was in toward the shaft seat - I doubt it will affect the weight/moment too much (but I do understand what your saying).

I have never seen one spin CCW either. I guess my next step is to crawl under the trans and see if there is an adapter in the cable as Luvbowties provided in that link? Very strange.

[1963c-10]

I used to have a spare needle...If I can find it, you can have it....thats saying that I find it. Also, from top to bottom.....muncie mc318 (factory trans), saginaw 3sp and a borg warner HD 3 speed. This will help w/trans identification. # of bolts on the side cover easiest way to ID. They all have driver side speedometer cable attachment.