Lubrication for internal speedo gearset

[tigernut]

I'm putting my speedo back together and wondered what lubrication is used for the internal gearset?

The original lubrication was solidified quite well after almost 40 years.

Thanks as always.
Doug

[67HEAVEN]

This is just a guess, but I'd use Lubriplate or some kind of white lithium grease.

Stand by for the correct answer.

[Ken Anderson]

The original grease was Delco ST800, a clear grease that worked from -20 to 100 degrees. You need to clean off the old stuff & use a similar type grease. I use a refigeration type clear grease that falls within the above specs.

[magicv8]

My speedo rebuilder said to leave the gears clean and dry, but I put Silglide on the one that runs the plastic odometer gear

[Ken Anderson]

Originally Posted by magicv8

My speedo rebuilder said to leave the gears clean and dry, but I put Silglide on the one that runs the plastic odometer gear

There were no plastic gears used in midyear Corvette speedos. Who is your rebuilder & I'll send him a price list?

[magicv8]

So if the odometer drive gear isn't plastic, what are all those little white plastic looking chips that crumbled off it where the final metal gear drives the odometer tumblers? The odometer stopped rotating when the teeth fell off.

[Ken Anderson]

The original speedo head came with steel gears. Someone has replaced yours with a service part and cheaply put in the nylon gears designed for 68 up cars. The midyear needs steel gears to drive all the other gears. Nylon gears strip faily quickly when put to the test, as you have found out.