C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Busted Speedo & Odometer: Advice Needed

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 7, 2009 | 10:51 PM
  #1  
fe1ixdakatt's Avatar
fe1ixdakatt
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: Northern California
Default Busted Speedo & Odometer: Advice Needed

My speedometer has a busted needle and doesn't appear to be accurately tracking my speed. Even though the top of the needle is gone, you can see the back end, and it seems as though it's about 10-15mph higher than my actual speed. To complicate matters, the odometer doesn't work at all. It's stuck at 55K miles (probably 955,000) and hasn't moved since I bought it.

What should I look at to get things back in working order? The speedo? The cable? Any guesstimates on what it would cost to have this fixed? Is replacing the speedo with a working one difficult for a newb? My car is a 1968 convertible with a stock 4-speed manual and a 350 GM crate motor. I haven't changed the tire or rim sizes since I purchased the vehicle. My car is heavily modified, and I'm open to 3rd party gauges or anything that looks good.
Reply
Old Jul 7, 2009 | 11:19 PM
  #2  
Willcox Corvette's Avatar
0Willcox Corvette
Former Vendor
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,851
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Default

fe1ixdakatt

The problem mentioned is common. My guess is the speedometer first worm and magnet bushing is shot! When this happens the first worm and magnet will end up with excess end play and lateral movement. This can cause the magnet to grab the speed cup and slam it. . . The end result is 1:1 contact instead of magnetic drive and the needle breaks. While the speedometer may be showing a reading, the reason it shows fast is that the left over portion of the needle is probably slipped forward from being slammed.

The fact that you say the odometer is not working indicates to me that the second worm gear and first worm are both gone. This again is the result of the first worm bushing being worn out.

The only solution to this is to remove the speedometer from the can and send it somewhere to be fixed. We can fix this for you and the cost is around 70.00 plus parts.

I have a page on this exact problem at this link: http://willcoxcorvette.com/repairand...lp.php?hID=145

Willcox Inc.

Last edited by Willcox Corvette; Jul 8, 2009 at 03:36 PM.
Reply
Old Jul 8, 2009 | 03:31 PM
  #3  
fe1ixdakatt's Avatar
fe1ixdakatt
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: Northern California
Default

Thanks!!! What's the usual turnaround time on that fix if I were to send it to you guys?
Reply
Old Jul 8, 2009 | 03:37 PM
  #4  
Willcox Corvette's Avatar
0Willcox Corvette
Former Vendor
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,851
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Default

1 - 2 Working days. It would be in and out pretty quick.

Willcox
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Busted Speedo & Odometer: Advice Needed





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:24 PM.

story-0
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-2
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE