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Hot Rods Stewart Warner "wings" speedometer problem

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by johnny jackson, Nov 15, 2025 at 7:09 PM.

  1. johnny jackson
    Joined: Jan 8, 2022
    Posts: 86

    johnny jackson
    Member

    I have a new Stewart Warner mechanical speedometer, and a new cable. The car is a hot rod '37 Plymouth truck and it has a TH350 transmission. I have the cable in the transmission fine, it turns the cable with no problem. However, the end that goes into the Stewart Warner gauge is not engaging to turn the gauge; seems short or too small. I have verified that the cable turns the inner cable/wire when driving down the road, and increases at speed. However, it seems as if the cable either isn't long enough at the gauge end, or the fitting area is a little larger on the Stewart Warner gauge....anyone run into a problem like this? Thank you for all insight....(I will call Stewart Warner tech Monday, but wondering if someone has had this or a similar issue).
     
    chryslerfan55 likes this.
  2. 51504bat
    Joined: May 22, 2010
    Posts: 5,600

    51504bat
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Ask Rusty @e1956v from Speedometer service in Colorado. Good guy, knows his stuff, and an Alliance vendor as well.
     
    johnny jackson, Budget36 and pprather like this.
  3. johnny jackson
    Joined: Jan 8, 2022
    Posts: 86

    johnny jackson
    Member

    61504bat, I will do that. Thank you.
     
  4. johnny jackson
    Joined: Jan 8, 2022
    Posts: 86

    johnny jackson
    Member

    Here are a couple of pictures that may help...
     

    Attached Files:

  5. 2 nailbender
    Joined: Aug 13, 2006
    Posts: 134

    2 nailbender
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from iowa

    I had the same problem Got a new cable problem fixed. One other way would be replace the inner cable in the old housing making a bit longer.
     
    05snopro440 and winduptoy like this.
  6. 05snopro440
    Joined: Mar 15, 2011
    Posts: 2,977

    05snopro440
    Member

    I'm not sure of the design inside the speedometer, can you check engagement with a caliper?
     
  7. MMM1693
    Joined: Feb 8, 2009
    Posts: 1,534

    MMM1693
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

  8. winduptoy
    Joined: Feb 19, 2013
    Posts: 4,135

    winduptoy
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I fought a mechanical drive speedometer problem and it was the size of the male square on the end of the cable being smaller than the female square in the speedometer head....(don't go there guys)
    a trip to NAPA for a universal cable didn't fix it...just the cable that goes in the housing...
    I had to build up the cable end with some silver solder and then file a larger square....
    maybe not your problem ..... too short or two small...one of the two
     
  9. e1956v
    Joined: Sep 29, 2009
    Posts: 2,577

    e1956v
    Alliance Vendor

    Just answered the PM
    From the pictures cable length looks ok, so as stated in a previous post the cable square size should be from .102 to .104 I have seen aftermarket cables squared down to .99 and sometimes that will just spin in the magnet.
    Sometimes you can get away with a .100 square size but that’s on the edge.
     
    Last edited: Nov 16, 2025 at 7:52 PM
    51504bat likes this.
  10. 302GMC
    Joined: Dec 15, 2005
    Posts: 8,466

    302GMC
    Member
    from Idaho

    Cable too short ? Pull the flexible inner piece out, lay it on your bench or floor & make note of the length. now, place one end in your vice & gently pull on the other end until it stretches about 3/4''. Blow out & straighten any kinks in jacket, lube w/ graphite & re-install.
     
  11. johnny jackson
    Joined: Jan 8, 2022
    Posts: 86

    johnny jackson
    Member

    Thank you all for your guidance. I will be talking to Stewart Warner tech support tomorrow. Hopefully the have some solutions. If not, I will see about a different cable, modifying the cable, or if there are adapters.
     
  12. Moriarity
    Joined: Apr 11, 2001
    Posts: 37,251

    Moriarity
    SUPER MODERATOR
    Staff Member

    take the insides out of the cable and trial fit the square into the speedo, that way you can see what is going on
     

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