Speedometer cable finding and a question please.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 250
Likes: 0
From: nashville TN
Speedometer cable finding and a question please.
I was trouble shooting my speedometer cable like several of you had suggested. I had dis-connected it at the (manual) tranny and attached the cable to a drill. I ran the drill (backwards) and it made no difference on the odometer. As I was taking the drill loose, I pulled gently on the cable and about 6 inches of it pulled out. Where it had broken, the cable wire actually tapered to a point. I have two questions.
First, how many of you (if any) have seen this "tapered to a point" appearance on a break of the cable?
Second, local car parts places have the cable (and casing) for less than $10. I see most Vette vendors get $20-23 for a cable with casing. Are these aftermarket (NAPA, Autozone, Adv Auto) products reliable and have any of you used them?
I'd like to buy it in town, get it now, save the shipping, and get it on the car.
Thanks, Rick in Tennesssee
First, how many of you (if any) have seen this "tapered to a point" appearance on a break of the cable?
Second, local car parts places have the cable (and casing) for less than $10. I see most Vette vendors get $20-23 for a cable with casing. Are these aftermarket (NAPA, Autozone, Adv Auto) products reliable and have any of you used them?
I'd like to buy it in town, get it now, save the shipping, and get it on the car.
Thanks, Rick in Tennesssee
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
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From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Re: Speedometer cable finding and a question please. (Rick Church)
I have one on my car now from Autozone. The only problem with it is, it is way too long. They carry 3 different length cables. I should have taken it back and tried one of the shorter versions. It does work though and doesn`t bounce and runs smooth despite the length. It may eventually get to that point though. Right now I am happy with what I have.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 250
Likes: 0
From: nashville TN
Re: Speedometer cable finding and a question please. (Eddie 70)
I have a book that says the cable for a 69-71 4-speed is 71.5 inches long. Autozone sells one that is 80 inches long. I guess that is close enough.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
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From: Huntersville NC
I would be interested to see what others have to say about speedo cables, but I wouldnt be at all surprised if the vette vendors carry the exact same cable you will get from Napa. Vette specialty vendors bring together all kinds of parts that will work on our corvettes. Some of these are repro items that they purchase from others, some they make themselves, some they buy from GM, and others are generic parts that just happen to fit on our vettes. They charge a premium for doing the legwork of sourcing the right parts for your vette, but if it happens to be a Napa (Echlin) piece it is fairly common for a vette specialty vendor to charge 50% or 100% more than the Napa autoparts store. Case in point - carburetor choke spring which came from the vette specialty vendor in the Echlin box, with the vendor's part # on a sticker over the Napa part# on the box. MJ
