Recommendation for Speedo rebuild

[Driver Ed]

Hello All- Looking for a recommendation for a speedometer rebuild shop. I'm new to Mopars. Car is a 64 Dart GT. I have been reading the forums and have tried lubing the cable. But, as the needle is not hunting and it is making intermittent horrible sounds(think pistachio shells in a blender) I fear a rebuild is in order. When I got the car, the seller thought it might be going and gave me a spare dead speedo. I'd like to send that out while my current one is still functioning. There are several shops listed in Hemming's so any help on picking a good one would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Driver Ed

 

[Newbomb Turk]

Let me know when you find one.

About 4 years ago I looked forever and never found anyone I would trust to do it.

 

[Super-Cuda]

Hello All- Looking for a recommendation for a speedometer rebuild shop. I'm new to Mopars. Car is a 64 Dart GT. I have been reading the forums and have tried lubing the cable. But, as the needle is not hunting and it is making intermittent horrible sounds(think pistachio shells in a blender) I fear a rebuild is in order. When I got the car, the seller thought it might be going and gave me a spare dead speedo. I'd like to send that out while my current one is still functioning. There are several shops listed in Hemming's so any help on picking a good one would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Driver Ed

Here you go Driver Ed

Welcome — Mr Heaterbox and Interior Restoration Services

I have had my complete rallye gauge cluster rebuilt and recalibrated by these guys including rebuilding my clock with a quartz movement.

They do great work, reasonably priced and done in a timely manner.

Cluster was very well packaged when returned.

 

[70SwingerGuy]

@Super-Cuda beat me to it. I sent my speedo to them a couple of weeks ago and Iam just waiting for it to be finished. Glad to hear a great review, I look forward to getting it back. Will post pics when I do.

 

[mopar head]

I sent my 52 Dodge speedometer across country to your state. No regrets.
Redline Gauge Works

 

[jimjimjimmy]

I know a guy who talks highly of Mr Heaterbox he has used them 3 or 4 times now and in the 20 plus years i have known him i have never heard him say a positive word about anything ever before .

 

[S'cuder]

I had a negative experience with Mr. Heaterbox. I sent them a working 150 mph speedo that had the odometer acting up. I asked them to repair the odometer, and "tune up" the speedo. The odometer works fine now, but the speedo is off by a lot and the needle will bounce up to 30 mph. I sent it back, they said it tested good. Back in the car, no improvement. I tested with two other speedos that worked fine, so it's not the cable. I have a very expensive, nice looking piece of garage art.

 

[BillGrissom]

Unhook the cable for now. What likely happened is the bore-hole for the spinning magnet wore, so the magnet is wobbling enough to hang on the aluminum cup (needle rides on cup). If you keep using as-is, the cup will break at the attachments and aluminum is hard to fix. If like my 1965 Newport, the magnet shaft spins in a die-cast aluminum bore. I first tried fixing myself (decades ago) by pressing in a steel cylinder, but had limited tools (temp job, renting, had to sneak work in USAF shop), so gave up. I mailed just the frame w/ magnet to a speedo shop in Bakersfield, CA who fixed it. I recall by drilling the bore to press in a bronze bushing (some have "permanent" lubricant). The shaft is secured at the end by just an outward swage. That was ~1992, so unlikely the shop still exists. Worst-case a good indie machinist should be able to fix 'er, and today there are maker-spaces for hobbyists and the web to find people who do-stuff.

 

[Driver Ed]

Hello All- Looking for a recommendation for a speedometer rebuild shop. I'm new to Mopars. Car is a 64 Dart GT. I have been reading the forums and have tried lubing the cable. But, as the needle is not hunting and it is making intermittent horrible sounds(think pistachio shells in a blender) I fear a rebuild is in order. When I got the car, the seller thought it might be going and gave me a spare dead speedo. I'd like to send that out while my current one is still functioning. There are several shops listed in Hemming's so any help on picking a good one would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Driver Ed

Hello All- Looking for a recommendation for a speedometer rebuild shop. I'm new to Mopars. Car is a 64 Dart GT. I have been reading the forums and have tried lubing the cable. But, as the needle is not hunting and it is making intermittent horrible sounds(think pistachio shells in a blender) I fear a rebuild is in order. When I got the car, the seller thought it might be going and gave me a spare dead speedo. I'd like to send that out while my current one is still functioning. There are several shops listed in Hemming's so any help on picking a good one would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Driver Ed

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I'll pick a shop and let you know the results.

 

[Sharpone]

Try this
Speedometer, Generator And Alternator Repair In Colorado Springs

 

[69conv]

Are you sure the problem isn't the cable? They are a whole lot cheaper and not that hard to replace. A binding cable will make noises and cause the needle to jump around or even not function.

 

[Driver Ed]

Hello All,
Still working on my speedo problem on my 64 Dart. The cable is not spinning, so I will be replacing. Also, when the speedo was working, it was off by about 9% so I want to purchase and install the right gear when I am under the car. Of course, being a newbie, I have questions:

• there are several different cable lengths available on several suppliers that 'fit'. Anyone know what length I actually need and a reputable supplier?
• I understand the speedo drive gear also had a short and a long version. I imagine that change is date related. Does anyone know when that happened?
• As very little is stock on this car, I cannot assume the A904 is from 1964. The bell housing has A-904-A cast into it. I found two sets of numbers on the driver's side trans flange. The first one is 2538838N the second is 1907018. Which is the date code I can use on the 10,000 day calendar lookup? Photos attached

Thanks for any help you can offer!
Driver Ed

 

[BillGrissom]

If original, it would be a cable-shift (not levers), with a 2nd cable going to the parking brake pawl. The later transmissions (1966+ ?) have a larger disk on the speedo cable where it fits into the tranny tailshaft. At least what I think I know.

 

[townsend]

Believe the actual number is 2538338.
1907 would be date code October 17,1966.
Originally came with 273 engine and 2 barrel carburetor.

 

[junkyardhero]

post a pic of where your speedo cable enters the transmsison.

 

[Driver Ed]

Thanks everyone! You've been a great help. The pieces are falling into place. I have two full folders of receipts/history on my car dating back to 1990, but all in a jumble. So far I have found the car was constructed out of four(!) vehicles. One 1964 GT conv, the car I own, two 1964 HT's (all 3 from California) and one 1966 Dart GT HT with a V8 from Iowa. That is probably how my car now has a 1966 A904, a floor shift with console, 8 3/4 rear end and a V8(alas, the 273 did not survive. It was replaced later with a 1977 318-IH casting). Fun Fact: I found a hand written letter detailing how to convert a slant six car to a V8 with front disc brakes signed by Doug Dutra.