Speedo cable

[ggdad1951]

some questions:

1. How do you tighten the speedo cable on the tranny? I can barely get my fingers in there! How tight does it need to be?

2. Proper routing of the speedo cable. Are there any clips to hold it in place along it's route? Where does it route around the engine?

3. How tight can the cable be looped?

ANY pictures would be great!

Edited February 7, 2012 by ggdad1951

[Merle Coggins]

As I recall I got mine as tight as I could with my fingers and some needle nose pliers. I also remember there being a clip somewhere along the side of the trans top cover, then it comes up on top of the bell housing then up through a notch in the floor at the front of the trans cover plate. Then there was a clip with a push fastener that attached it to the firewall as it went up towards the speedo. Sorry no pics handy.

Merle

[ggdad1951]

As I recall I got mine as tight as I could with my fingers and some needle nose pliers. I also remember there being a clip somewhere along the side of the trans top cover, then it comes up on top of the bell housing then up through a notch in the floor at the front of the trans cover plate. Then there was a clip with a push fastener that attached it to the firewall as it went up towards the speedo. Sorry no pics handy.

Merle

ok, doesn't go thru the loom where the throttle and choke cables live?

[B1B Keven]

ok, doesn't go thru the loom where the throttle and choke cables live?

Nope. Just like Merle 'splained. and finger tight.

[ggdad1951]

Nope. Just like Merle 'splained. and finger tight.

okely dokely then...no places it is anchored then except maybe by the tranny?

[wallytoo]

as noted by merle, cable comes up through the footboard, at the firewall, to the right of the accelerator, more or less in the center. mine had (or has) a clip that attaches to the cardboard firewall sound panel. truthfully, i used a spare jeep cj5 cable that i had in the garage (works fine).

i finger-tightened it to the tranny, and then used channel locks to just slightly tighten it more (less than 1/8 turn).

wally

[ggdad1951]

ok, cool, I think I know of the notch now, a half moon cutout it seems. Does one need to lube a new cable at all?

[Young Ed]

3. How tight can the cable be looped?

You don't want it tight. You want nice gradual curves so it can spin freely.

[Merle Coggins]

ok, cool, I think I know of the notch now, a half moon cutout it seems. Does one need to lube a new cable at all?

That would be a very good idea. Also lube your speedo. There's a long stem that screws into the back of the speedo right where the cable attaches. Remove the stem and soak the wick inside with light oil (like 3-in-1 oil) and add a drop or two down into the hole before you screw it back in.

Merle

[ggdad1951]

That would be a very good idea. Also lube your speedo. There's a long stem that screws into the back of the speedo right where the cable attaches. Remove the stem and soak the wick inside with light oil (like 3-in-1 oil) and add a drop or two down into the hole before you screw it back in.

Merle

3 in 1 oil for the cable as well?

[Merle Coggins]

I ran some Brake Clean through it first to wash out the old gunk, then used motor oil (as I remember it). There is a special speedo cable lube that you can use. I think it's more of a graphite lube.

Merle

[ggdad1951]

ok, my speedo cable is new, the old one was broken.

[JBNeal]

there is a clip on the transmission that holds the cable housing in place below the floorboards, and another clip on the firewall:

[supertweet]

thanks for photo's, i rerouted twice- once from firewall oil/temp bracket, then up steering column, both wrong, now i can go do it right...Dave

[ggdad1951]

glad my thread helped you as well as it did me!

[JPP]

Thanks, now I know what to do.

[Gaige]

Thanks JB, the pictures help.  I’ll be attempting it soon.