tach cable length 1973 etc
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 763
Likes: 0
From: FBO Florida
tach cable length 1973 etc
This is advertised on ebay as the right cable for the tach drive on a stock 350. It looks about double the length. The one I took off is alot shorter, maybe 21 inches?. Has anyone run into this before? Should I hold out for a shorter cable. PN 88959478
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 856
Likes: 2
From: Tyler Texas
Charles,
As I recall from memory, most 68 tach cables are 19.5 inches in length and 69-74 cables are 20.5 inches in length.
Delco used to make a 71 inch tach cable kit that you had to cut to the desired length to install. It was not a "corvette specific" tach cable kit, but had the correct ends for 68-74 cars.
Hopefully someone that has recently replaced a 73 tach cable can jump in on this issue, but I think you are correct--you need a 21 inch tach cable.
Here is what I think you need: http://ecklers.com/product.asp?pf_id=A3501&dept_id=1210
As I recall from memory, most 68 tach cables are 19.5 inches in length and 69-74 cables are 20.5 inches in length.
Delco used to make a 71 inch tach cable kit that you had to cut to the desired length to install. It was not a "corvette specific" tach cable kit, but had the correct ends for 68-74 cars.
Hopefully someone that has recently replaced a 73 tach cable can jump in on this issue, but I think you are correct--you need a 21 inch tach cable.
Here is what I think you need: http://ecklers.com/product.asp?pf_id=A3501&dept_id=1210
Last edited by Patrick73; Dec 18, 2007 at 02:24 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 763
Likes: 0
From: FBO Florida
Charles,
As I recall from memory, most 68 tach cables are 19.5 inches in length and 69-74 cables are 20.5 inches in length.
Delco used to make a 71 inch tach cable kit that you had to cut to the desired length to install. It was not a "corvette specific" tach cable kit, but had the correct ends for 68-74 cars.
Hopefully someone that has recently replaced a 73 tach cable can jump in on this issue, but I think you are correct--you need a 21 inch tach cable.
Here is what I think you need: http://ecklers.com/product.asp?pf_id=A3501&dept_id=1210
As I recall from memory, most 68 tach cables are 19.5 inches in length and 69-74 cables are 20.5 inches in length.
Delco used to make a 71 inch tach cable kit that you had to cut to the desired length to install. It was not a "corvette specific" tach cable kit, but had the correct ends for 68-74 cars.
Hopefully someone that has recently replaced a 73 tach cable can jump in on this issue, but I think you are correct--you need a 21 inch tach cable.
Here is what I think you need: http://ecklers.com/product.asp?pf_id=A3501&dept_id=1210
I'll have to settle for the Chinee part in the correct length I guess. Someone is yelling at me as I type this that most ACDELCO parts are Chinee sourced now. Uggh.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,810
Likes: 469
From: Wichita Kansas
I bought a new cable for the '72, put it on and it really is too long, is going to take to many sorta sharp turns I think. Was supposed to the 'correct' cable. I think it's like 23" long. So then I saw one at one of those Corvette parts websites that purported to be a 21" cable so I bought it; they must have had a defective ruler because it is the same length as the one I (painfully) put in. Long Story Short, I have an extra cable you are welcome to if you think you can use it.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 763
Likes: 0
From: FBO Florida
Question on Tach cable replacement
Thanks for the advice and offer. I ordered one from Davies Corvette here in New Port Richey, Florida. I have never used them before but didn't want to wait 3 days or more with the holiday for paragon etc. It is all that is needed to breath life into the tachometer. The tach has been Casrep since I got the car. When putting it back on basically I should just apply pressure to the spring steel clip on the back of the tach? Do I need to line anything up (ie the square cable)? Or is it a slam dunk.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,810
Likes: 469
From: Wichita Kansas
It's a slam dunk, all I had to do was get it lined up and push, it snapped right into place. I think that after you get it connected to the tach, you can seat the (inside) cable by turning and pushing. After I replaced my cable, I found I must further replace the main and cross gear in the distributor. And I am soooooooooooo looking forward to doing that............ugh. I hope the hard part is done. Good luck with yours.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
The tach cable illustrated from the first post is probably one used on early tach drive generators. They are correct though, but a mistake waiting to happen to some unsuspecting customer that buys it then has to send it back and fight to get a credit. E Bay can be a disaster. .....
The correct lengths are about 19 1/2 to 22 on or about for tach drive distributors.
The correct lengths are about 19 1/2 to 22 on or about for tach drive distributors.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,892
Likes: 3
From: Springfield Illinois
Not that I am aware of. I think they are oiled inside the cable. I just grease the ends real well. You might want to check into getting a 90* adapter. It will take alot of the stress out of the cable causing it to last longer.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 763
Likes: 0
From: FBO Florida
Ok great--I put it on last night and the tach is now working great again. I put lubriplate white grease on the tach side connection only. I'll unscrew the dist side and put a dab there. Luckily I don't have AC so getting under the dash to RR was easy.
