[Onestone]

Originally Posted by Parkman51

Today's two questions:
2) Can I modify my existing wiper switch to work with the electric motor? It already has the necessary hookups for the vacuum washer, and using a new electric switch would, I assume, require modifications to that system.

Originally Posted by Safari Larry

I don't know. For 56, the same vacuum switch was used for the electric wiper motor. I suspect 55 used the same wiper switch as 56. Your wiper motor may be different than the original 56 Pontiac wiper motor.

Hi Parkman, I had the same issue in my ongoing restoration: I wanted to use the original (vacuum) wiper switch with the electrical motor. Since parts are very hard to get here in Germany, I modified the original vacuum wiper switch to still use it with the electrical wiper motor and keep the original look.

Take a look here in my thread, there are pictures and also a small video how it works:

https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...8&postcount=14

In fact I constructed an adapter for the backside and 3D-printed it, and the two small switches are from Amazon for around 10EUR. A few small screws and a stopper from a bike brake cable - that was the whole magic

I can send you the 3d-printfiles if you like to do it the same way, it works very good.

[Safari Larry]

Top for your air cleaner now up for bid on ebay. Surface rust but I don't see any dents. These are hard to find.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/28707019322...3223&recoPos=4

[Parkman51]

More progress today.

The clock: now correctly regulated (hasn't lost or gained a minute since I tweaked it earlier today) has been running for two or three days at this point. Mission successful!

The speedometer: another brief run around the neighborhood demonstrates that it is not improved at all. After the run I took off the connection at the transmission, and tried to turn the cable from there, but it was so stiff that I could not do it at all by hand.

The brakes: I now have brake fluid leaking from the rear passenger wheel without visible cause. I'll take the wheel off tomorrow and look, but I expect a blown wheel cylinder.

The weatherstripping: after today's exercise I backed the car into the garage and removed the old weatherstrip from the rear passenger door. The passenger weatherstripping will be a project for the next week of evenings, I suspect.

Today's two questions, therefore...
1) if it's not a kinked or dry cable, what else could be causing the bouncy/jittering speedometer? Did I not use enough grease, and I should just load it up instead of the thin coat I tried previously? I noticed that the "collar" on the cable is on the speedometer side instead of the transmission side, if that matters.
2) Before I order a new rear wheel cylinder and brake hose, is there anything else that could cause a brake fluid leak from the inside of the wheel?

[Jack Gifford]

With the cable removed from the speedometer is the speedometer also difficult to turn? Use something that simulates the square cable end, maybe a small screwdriver. If the speedometer turns easily, then a new cable is needed. And possibly the cable sheath also.

[Bill Hanlon]

Originally Posted by Parkman51

More progress today.
The speedometer: another brief run around the neighborhood demonstrates that it is not improved at all. After the run I took off the connection at the transmission, and tried to turn the cable from there, but it was so stiff that I could not do it at all by hand.

This is memories from working on speedometer cables in the early 1960s, so it may not be correct:

I think the "collar" is supposed to be on the speedometer end like yours is and therefore the cable "loads" into the sheath from under the dash.

Try disconnecting both ends of the cable and see if it is easy to turn. It should be. If it turns easy the problem is in the speedometer. If not the cable is causing grief.

I remember using powdered graphite, not "grease" on speedo cables. Grease tends to get sticky after a few decades. I don't know how to remove the grease.

[Parkman51]

Today I disconnected both ends of the speedometer cable and twisted, and it spun fine. This may mean that there's something wrong with the speedometer itself (unfortunately).

I also did two other things: I began work on rewiring the trunk light (but I can't find a non-online source for the correct gauge of orange wire) so that'll have to wait for the next Amazon order. And I removed the weatherstripping from the rear passenger door and acid-prepped it to neutralize the rust - I think I'll give it another brushing and wire prep just to be safe.

Today's question:
1) What to do about the speedometer? Tests and recommendations?