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Tach Cable Broke

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Old Jul 14, 2017 | 12:36 PM
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Default Tach Cable Broke

Hey guys,

My tach stopped working so I pulled the cable out of the distributor to do some trouble shooting and the raw cable pulled right out of the cable housing. You can see the 2 ends in the picture.

My question is this... I have found very inexpensive universal speedometer cables, are the tach and speedometer cables interchangeable?

If I can use a speedometer cable core, will I be able to attache it to the back of the tach and push it through the cable housing up to the distributor?



Last edited by Davpmars; Jul 14, 2017 at 12:38 PM.
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Old Jul 14, 2017 | 12:40 PM
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have you extracted the broken piece?
can you match the cable you found to the piece you removed?
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Old Jul 14, 2017 | 12:44 PM
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Originally Posted by MelWff
have you extracted the broken piece?
can you match the cable you found to the piece you removed?
I have not extracted the broken piece yet. I just slipped it right out of the cable tubing last night but didn't have time to mess with getting under the dash.

Is it possible the cable just disconnected from the back of the tach? I don't know how these things connect to each other.
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Old Jul 14, 2017 | 01:09 PM
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The cable should not break. I had a problem with my 69 and I replaced the cable and lubricated it and it broke again. You need to find out where it is binding to break the cable. I never found my problem before I sold the car.
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Old Jul 14, 2017 | 02:41 PM
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Originally Posted by 69FASTFUN
The cable should not break. I had a problem with my 69 and I replaced the cable and lubricated it and it broke again. You need to find out where it is binding to break the cable. I never found my problem before I sold the car.


You might need to re-clock your distributor.

If you don't wanna mess with that-you could use one of these-

http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...1960-1974.html



Tach and speedo are the same size -
However-it's a pain to replace....using a cheap one might not be a great idea - unless you are a gymnast!!!


Richard
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Old Jul 14, 2017 | 03:26 PM
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Originally Posted by Richard454


You might need to re-clock your distributor.

If you don't wanna mess with that-you could use one of these-

http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...1960-1974.html



Tach and speedo are the same size -
However-it's a pain to replace....using a cheap one might not be a great idea - unless you are a gymnast!!!


Richard
My distributer was clocked so I didn't need that 90 degree adaptor. The gear was in good shape and I lubricated it.
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Old Jul 15, 2017 | 11:26 AM
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How is the distributor clocked? If the vacuum advance is parallel to the firewall (give or take a few degrees), this puts the tach cable at less of a "S" bend shape. If it is pointing somewhat towards the front of the r/f tire, this can cause a bind and possible cause the cable to brake. Any speedometer shop can make you a new cable or just the rotating piece of cable.
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Old Jul 15, 2017 | 11:41 AM
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Hi,
On 68 + Corvette sb engines the typical position of the distributor was pivoted for 2 reasons.
First, to allow the vacuum advance hose to be routed behind the right side support bracket for the ignition shielding.
Secondly, this new position allows the tachometer cable to have a very gentle curve in it after it exits the firewall grommet when making the tachometer connection.
Regards,
Alan



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