48oldsguy

Test drive went well

My speedometer cable order did not arrive on time so I decided to modify my old cable using a nylon coupling from a 1992 Plymouth Laser. Just waiting for the rain to stop for test a drive

I have ordered a new speedometer cable and will re-magnetize the speedometer head if necessary.

I have replaced my original speedometer with a newer Ford unit that I converted to fit my car.

I will try draining a couple of quarts of oil each time until I get a positive oil level reading.

The transmission is NOS with less than 500 miles and shows no signs of sludge or gumming up.

Looking for complete speedometer or parts. I understand that GM may have used the same internal parts on other GM cars (Chevrolet, Pontiac, etc.). In particular I need the inner rotating and outer hair spring and spindle cups. The hair spring (balance spring) must still be attached to the spindle and the cup as it came from the factory. The rotating magnet if available must also be in good condition. I also need the speedometer needle. Please provide photos if possible.

I have driven the car to warm up the oil, parked on a level surface, and pulled the dipstick out, wiped it clean and forcefully reinserted it all the down as far as it will physically go many times and have never gotten a clear indication on the dipstick of the actual oil level. The oil is always smeard over the dipstick from top to bottom with splotchy less oily areas areas in between..

I wish there was someway you could get good fluid level indiction without having to run the engine. Thanks for your comments.

I tried replacing my speedometer cable using a universal speedometer cable kit. When I test drove the car I got a lot of squealing noise which I first thought was from the cable binding up with the outer cable sleeve, so I shortened the cable slightly. Still the same results and erratic needle swings. I sprayed graphite into the back of the speedometer which did lesson the squealing noise a bit. I than pulled the speedometer out of the car and disassembled it for further lubricating. The lubrication seemed to end the squealing noise so I reassembled the speedometer and put it back in the car after bench testing it to assure I had needle movement. Now I can't get any needle movement and Im not sure if the problem is fixable by me so I am soliciting for information. Finding a reliable replacement unit or other alternatives on the web so far has not yielded any sources.

I get no indications of foaming (overfill) and some of my dipstick readings appear to be low. The transmission also leaks quit a bit. I understand that the transmission holds 11 quarts oil. If I remove the transmission pan drain plug will I still have residual oil left in the torque converter. If so how much, and how do I drain that oil to insure the transmission is totally empty.

That would be easy if you could tell what the oil level was each time. In my case as stated before, I have not been unable to get a definitive oil level indication.

I just tried to check my transmission oil level again today. With the car in neutral, warmed up, I removed the dipstick, to wipe it clean and stuck it back in all the way and quickly removed it. The oil level was almost to the top of the stick. I tried again several times and got various high and low oil level readings, none of which where very definitive. Question: If the oil level is low how would know how much to put back in?