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I have read a bunch of threads on this, but still not sure if it’s doable. Has anyone replaced their speedometer cable at the transmission on a 64 4 speed by using a long set of offset or slip joint pliers, without messing around with the trans support?
You cannot replace the cable at the transmission end of the sheath. The cable has a stop on it at the speedometer to hold it in place. You can replace the speedometer driven gear at the transmission by removing the cable sheath and then remove the bullet from the side of the transmission. Access to the knurled nut on the cable sheath is very difficult by can be done with the correct pliers. Putting it back is more challenging endeavor IMHO.
Ron
Thanks for quick response! Here is my current situation. My cluster is out and getting restored. I pulled the inner speedometer cable to clean and lube, but cable is not square at either end and looks worn. In addition I have a 70” cable which is not correct so I figured to be on the safe side I would just replace the entire cable and go with the correct 56” from Speedometer Cables USA. Just took a look under the car and saw how tight it was. I guess I could always install new cable into cluster and take car to shop to handle the swap at the transmission? See pics below. I’m overthinking the condition of the current cable?
That cable does seem to be square at the ends. The cables are pressed to a square shape to fit the female connection at the speedometer and the transmission. The problem is when you reinsert it into the sheath at the speedometer without the transmission end disconnected you may push the driven gear into the tail shaft and have to install a new driven gear.
To access the transmission end, you may have to unbolt the transmission at the cross member and remove the exhaust support bracket to improve access to the bullet.
Pictures of the transmission end would be helpful. Others may have a magic method to do it without unbolting the transmission, so hang on for other replies.
Ron
Thanks again for quick response! The last four pics are the transmission end. As far as trans support bracket, doable if car is up on race ramps? Anyone have a goby for that bracket removal? Would be a first for me!
So I put the car up on the race ramps today and was able to get the old Speedo cable out fairly easy by using a long screw driver pressing against the indents to loosen up the retaining nut of the cable. Was also able to get new cable seated in driven gear fitting fairly easily but couldn’t tighten all the way using my fingers. Tried a few different pliers, but couldn’t really make that work either. Finally I tried using the screw driver again, gently tapping it with a rubber mallet. That was working well, but it started to bugger up the retaining nut indents so I stopped! At that point I decided to remove the trans support bracket to gain more space. That was easier than I thought and it allowed my to use a pair of long offset pliers to finish tightening the retaining nut. Putting the bracket back was a bit more challenging as getting the bolt holes all lined up took some work. Certainly not necessarily fun, but a good learning experience for me! I find that with every repair/fix you tackle you become a bit more comfortable and confident in your abilities to take on the next project!
Congratulations!!!
It sounds like you learned the hard way which is how I prefer to learn and teach. I have had people that want me to work on their car and I try to let them (male or female) do the work and only supervise. Thus they learn and are willing to tackle even more tasks themselves.
Doing it yourself now makes you an expert. Share it with others here on the forum and at home.
Ron
64 speedometer cable replacement
