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Just bought 1978 Stingray - Speedometer bouncing, AC missing and lights don't work

by Bryan
(Cleburne, TX)

1978

1978

I just bought my wife a 1978 Vette and it has a few minor things to fix. The AC was removed and needs to be replaced, the speedometer bounces like crazy and the lights don't pop up but they do turn on. Any help is appreciate on showing me what to look for and how to fix it as this is our fist vette. Thanks in advance!

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Feb 21, 2010
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starstarstarstarstar 		speedo eratic readings
by: Appraiser Ned

heres what I think it is....the simplest fix would be---is that the vehicle was sitting not driven for a while and the inner(steel cable) got gummed up a little,,,the speedometer cable has an outer plastic sheath and an inner steel cable,if the inner cable can not spin smoothly and binds and the speedo bounces eratically. picture this... twist a cable at one end(at transmission) and hold the other end from spinning at the speedo? the cable binds internally and then when it releases it spins the other end at the speedo faster than it needs to be? the cable bind is acting like a spring...tighten and release action. the fix...take the transmission end of the cable off *unscrew it from the side of the transmission* you can pull the inner cable out of the sheath and LIGHTLY grease it. coat it with white grease or silver anti sieze. then slide it back up in the sheath all the way while spinning it slowly to lock it into the speedo end. you can not make a mistake...it has an allen end on each end of the cable when speiining it you will feel it lock in to the speedo. then reinstall it back on the trans(screw it back on) and try it. should work smoothly. If cable is frayed steel wire loose cut off any steel wires that are loose with wire cutters before re-install. let me know...this is without pulling the dash speedo etc, simplest fix try first** thanks
Feb 17, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Nylon gear??
by: Bryan

Lou,

Where is this nylon gear found? How do I get to it?

Thanks,
Bryan
Feb 17, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Bouncing Speedometer
by: Lou V

I had three C3's (1969, 1974 and 1981). The "bouncing" speedometer was a common problem and had to be fixed a number of times. There is a nylon worm gear that wears out over time which causes the speedometer to malfunction. It was a cheap fix, but I don't know what the part would cost in 2010. Good luck.

Lou

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