Hi!
Am reconditioning a 1955 Ford car speedometer & am aware that they originally probably used fine whale oil for lube as it does not gum-up nearly as fast as mineral oils.
Does anyone have advice as to what modern (synthetic - ??? / other???) lubricant can be used in it's place?

Thanks, JLB

55 Ford Crown Victoria Steel Top

I use a light machine oil, like 3 in 1 oil.  Go easy on the oil


54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

Ditto to what Paul said, you can also visit my website blog pages to see what I did on this for my 55 Ford Club Sedan... the link is

https://www.hotrodreverend.com/post/2018/07/14/1955-ford-part-56-speedometer-and-odometer-reset



Daniel Jessup

Lancaster, California

aka "The Hot Rod Reverend"
check out the 1955 Ford Fairlane build at www.hotrodreverend.com

I was taught to use lubriplate. If possible I pull out the cable and clean it thoroughly then apply the lubriplate along the entire cable twisting it as it’s inserted. They have always been smooth for as long as I owned the vehicle. 

56 Vic, B'Ville 200 MPH Club Member, So Cal.

Paul, Dan,
I have used 3-in-1 previously (also a mineral-oil derivative); and wanted to find a non-mineral-oil alternative that is much less susceptible to oxidation, volatiles evaporation, and consequent gumming long-term, as the fine whale oil lube that was originally used. That's why I was wondering about any modern products that would gum less with time.

DLR,
I do appreciate your "input"; the question was about lube for the actual speedometer internals, though. I'll keep the "Lubriplate" in-mind for future cable lube, though.

Any others?

Thanks much, JLB

55 Ford Crown Victoria Steel Top

I too have always used a high quality light mineral oil.  A drop or two at the bushing where the cable attaches will take several hours to soak in.  Search the internet for a good high quality clock oil. Synthetic is readdily available and I would think this would be your answer.  

64F100 57FAIRLANE500

Dorman makes a speedometer lubricant specifically for speedometer cables.  Dorman 9-1812 Grease & Lube.  Joe-JDC

JDC

I made the mistake of applying Lubriplate to the steering column shaft back in 85. A number of years later the telescopic feature seized up. After pulling it I found the lubriplate had solidified.

1955 312 T-Bird Warwick, NY

I suspect what you want here, what is basically a clock oil. (Yeah, he's not talking here about lubing the cable itself).

What you'll find is (synthetic) Mobil 1 is very much favored by the professional clock repair guys in lieu of expensive, bespoke dedicated $$ clock oils, particularly because it does not gum up.

Thanks guys.

I think that I'll take the "Mobil One" advice - never thought of those synthetics; I'm going to phone Amzoil, though, whose factory is just a few miles away from me in Superior WI. to see if they have an equivalent.

Regards from the Great White North [rural outskirts of Duluth MN], JLB

p. s., -22 deg. F yesterday & now up to a balmy +18!!!  In the spring, when it's up to +35 & sunny: That's T-shirt weather around here.

55 Ford Crown Victoria Steel Top