Classic/Antique Car Repair: 1951 Mercury 1 T p/u, driven gear, lubriplate

Question
I replaced the speedo cable in the truck but it still does not work. I drove the truck briefly with the cable un-done from the cluster. It wasn't spinning so can I assume the problem is in the transmission? If so how do I fix it?

Answer
Jim, before you do this, drive the truck with the end of the cable sitting out in the open where you can see it. If it rotates when you're moving, then you're OK and it's seated properly in the tranny gear , and the problem is in the dash head unit.

If it isn't rotating, find out where it enters the trans housing and undo the bolt securing the bracket which holds it in place. It should pull straight out. check that it's fitted into its gear, and then mesh the worm properly with the driven gear and bolt things up nice and tight.

Did you lube the cable? if not, pull it out of the casing and treat it to some Lubriplate or light-duty graphite grease.

Make sure also that it's properly engaged in the head unit before tightening up that fastener.

Then it's time for a drive test.

--Paul