| 39mercury | -- 03-02-2015 @ 12:13 PM |
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I sent my 39 Mercury Instrument cluster off to be repaired for a frozen speedometer gear cluster. Everything else is working well and it is in pretty good cosmetic condition. The gear was verified to be frozen, and to repair it the cost is $750. I was a little surprised at the cost, but apparently this is a rare part. Does any one have a source for these clusters or have a good used one available?? Thanks, Steve Middleton
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| len47merc | -- 03-02-2015 @ 2:35 PM |
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Steve - tried to PM you with some info but you have it disabled. Steve
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| TomO | -- 03-03-2015 @ 9:37 AM |
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Steve, I had a NOS 1940 speedometer that was frozen. I soaked the back in Marvel Mystery Oil for about a month with trying it every few days and it freed up. I would try this method, yours may take longer or less time, depending on how long it has been frozen. I filled a coffee can with MMO and set the speedometer on top of the can, so that just the section where the cable connects was under oil. I used a large cotter pin as a handle to turn the works. I worked it back and forth every few days to try to free it. Once it freed up, I chucked a piece of speedometer cable in my electric drill and ran the drill counter clock wise to see if the rest of the mechanism was OK. This was about 5 years ago and the speedometer is still working. The $750 charge is justified by having to disassemble the speedometer to free it up and replace any broken parts. I have found that Baxter Ford Parts does quality work on the instruments and does have some reconditioned instrument available. They are located in Lawrence, KS. Google them for the phone number. Tom This message was edited by TomO on 3-3-15 @ 9:39 AM
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| len47merc | -- 03-03-2015 @ 3:00 PM |
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Steve - similarly, upon moving my '47 Merc for the first time after sitting for 35 plus years the speedometer cable was found to be broken at the transmission interface. Troubleshooting revealed the speedometer was locked up and caused the breakage and yes, repairing &/or replacing the guts was found to be expensive. Throwing caution to the wind, the metal cup above the rear lubrication hole was removed, inside which is a woven woolen fabric for lubricant to be absorbed into. Placing several drops of MMO (and a small bit of mystery juice) into this hole and around the drive shaft in the rear of the speedometer, letting it sit for a couple of days, then using an SQ2 or SQ3 bit (can't recall which one matched the end of the speedometer cable) in a magnetic screwdriver handle I began the process of gentle back-and-forth rotation of the rear driveshaft. No movement the first go, so a couple of more drops and a couple of more days. After multiple repeats of this process the old mucked-up lubricant begin to break free and finally it was completely loose and the driveshaft could be rotated completely and freely. Inserting the correct 'SQ' bit into a flexible bit holder and then both into my Dewalt after the speedometer drivershaft was free I let 'er rip and the speedometer sat on '0' (zero). Not deterred, I placed the drill in reverse (not knowing which was the proper direction initially) and again cranked it up and the speedometer went to 70 mph and stayed there nice 'n steady. I like Tom's idea better of using an end/length of the broken speedo cable versus the flexible bit holder I used. Both processes work regardless. Unit has worked well ever since (several thousand miles). Worth the gentle and patient effort - if the guts need repairing/replacing you'll have to spend the money anyway. Not aware whether the rear lubrication hole with the small cup/cover exists on a '39. Tom's process would work definitely work better if it does not exist as it does on my '47. Tom's description above is the third I've heard or experienced thus far on a frozen speedometer where absolute patience, a gentle touch and a bit of effort saved several hundred dollars. Steve This message was edited by len47merc on 3-6-15 @ 7:47 AM
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| len47merc | -- 03-08-2015 @ 9:28 AM |
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Steve - we gave you a couple of potential process 'fixes' for your speedo problem. Hopefully one of these worked for you and you are no longer in need. Your original question was specific to a source for a '32 Merc speedo to go into your cluster - I unfortunately cannot help you in this regard (found a few references when Googling) but perhaps by re-floating this discussion it may produce someone more familiar with early '30's sources that can provide a solution for you. Good luck - Steve
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