I’ve tried searching but I can’t find an answer so I’m hoping to get some help here. I have a new to me 62 Ford Galaxie with a C6 transmission and a speedometer that doesn’t work at all. The first problem I found was the cable was laying against the exhaust and the coating was burned. The inner cable still turned but was stiff. I purchased a new cable and routed it correctly. Still no speedometer. I checked the 18 tooth driven gear and it looked like it had a worn spot. I couldn’t find an 18 tooth but I did find a 17 tooth that was a known good gear. Still not working. I pulled the cable out of the speedometer and turned the rear wheel. I could hear a clicking as the gears weren’t meshing and the cable wasnt turning. Next step was to pull the tailshaft and check the drive gear. It is a replaceable steel gear with 8 teeth. From everything I can see online the 8 tooth and 17 tooth should match, even though the speedometer would probably be incorrect. The mystery here is the cable is exactly the same as the original and it is fitting into the hole and seating correctly. Has anyone experienced this problem and does anyone have an idea for a solution?
Make sure the gear you replaced is firmly attached to the cable end. I had a similar issue. Couldn’t get it to work, realized the cable end had been spinning without the gear. I mean the gear in the tranny end of the cable. Hope that helps
Good idea but I tried that and it was good. I am waiting for a new 18T gear and will see if there is something there that will work. I was hoping someone would pop up and say an 8 tooth drive gear wont mate with a 17 tooth driven gear.
Sounds like it’s not engaging the tranny. Try pushing it in till you can feel it mesh. Good luck with it.
If you turn the gear or cable ccw does the speedometer needle move? You have to be really fast to see it….or have someone look while you do it. If the needle moves you’re good from there on up. Second, what is the pitch direction of the gear you are using? With the nipple pointing away from you is the pitch left or right? Gear pitch on Fords should be the opposite of the side of the transmission it enters. IE most Fords come in on the drivers side or left hand side so the driven gear on the end of the cable should have a right hand pitch. If the pitch is wrong the gear will flat-spot and not work and may click. Last have you checked to see if the odometer is working when you test it? If the odometer is working then the cable is turning and you have a bad speedometer ( broken speed-cup) All of these tests will let you know if you have a tonsil problem or hemorrhoid problem you don’t want to use Preparation H for tooth paste. Make sure you’re working on the right end.
Speedometer head and cable is fine. Everything works with a drill attached to the transmission end of the cable. Gears aren’t meshing. I am waiting for a new 18 T gear. Local Ford dealer says speedometers don’t have gears and they are all electric so I had to order one online. Cable is seated in driven gear and speedometer worked when drill was attached at the end of the gear.
Manufactures only have to provide parts for vehicles for 11 years by law and anything older is hit and miss usually depending on demand and volume sales of a certain part. e1956v is our resident HAMB speedometer expert as that is what he does for a living. I'd follow what he says to the letter.
Be sure and check the pitch of the gear, didn’t mean for the reply to seem like a smart ass just trying to lighten the mood, hope it wasn’t taken that way. All Ford driven gears with the correct pitch will work from the 16T up to the 21T with the same drive gear. The only exception is the aftermarket 23T that Roush came out with for the Mustangs with lower rear end ratios. They are to big in diameter and will strip, there is a reason Ford stopped with a 21T gear anything bigger won’t work with a standard drive gear.
That may be the problem. This transmission was recently rebuilt before I got the car and I believe they may have put the wrong speedo gear on it, if thats possible. I have attached a picture of both gears and they are slanted different directions.
The gear in the pic is an earlier Fordomatic driven gear not a c6 gear. What side of the transmission doe it come in on? Post a pic of your new gear before install even if you have to PM me to get my attention. I can give you the Ford number for any of the gears from 16-21.
Driven gear comes in from the left side. I don't have a new gear yet and don't know if it will be any different than what I have. Does the drive gear look like a C6 drive gear? Will a C6 driven gear have a different pitch than what I have?
This is a Ford 18T right hand pitch driven gear. Correct for C4 and C6. If you ordered an 18T this is what it should look like. You can see the difference in diameter from the Fordomatic 18 T driven gear you had in there.
The picture of my drive gear is taken from the left side. Will this 18 Tooth driven gear work with that drive gear. If not, I need to locate the correct drive gear.
Drive gears are confusing to judge for me I’m only used to dealing with driven gear cuz I’m a speedometer guy and don’t see the drive gears out of the transmission. If you have the tail shaft still off the new gear should lay across and mesh easily.
The Jalopy Journal
