Author Topic: Speedometer Cable Length? (Read 6189 times)

RB2929 · « **on:** October 19, 2010 - 04:04:33 PM »

I was hoping someone here knows the length of the speedometer cable. I don�t feel like crawling under the car. Looking on-line, there are several lengths:
Advance Auto = 63�, Napa = 68�, Auto Zone = 80�, YO no length given

I have the standard speedometer problem with the needle bouncing all over the place most of the time and only displaying proper MPH when she feels like it

.

Thanks in advance

walkAbout · « **Reply #1 on:** October 01, 2012 - 03:44:59 PM »

Up again, as it fits my question...

Searching a new speedometer cable too. But different length's are given in auctions. One says 78" long, an other says 61" long...

Here I found the info that the aftermarket are a foot to long and are melting. Maybe the same happend to mine. Mine is melted and is loosing the red oil (I believe the oil comes from the tranny), although I know that the cable is lubed.
moparts: Speedometer Cable Question: Aftermarket or New Chrysler

Even if I measure mine, I'm not sure if it is the right length.

Can you enlighten me please.

TIA
Thomas

Jamiez · « **Reply #2 on:** October 01, 2012 - 06:12:34 PM »

The one I pulled off my car was close to 60" (hard to get it straight).

Trans fluid should not travel up the speedo cable. If it is, then the seal where it connects to the transmission is probably shot (or the speedo was cross threaded onto the pinion). You can get a 2 piece kit cheap off ebay. If the pinion is cross threaded you'll probably need to get a new one...I don't think anyone repops them but Brewers Performance sells reman ones...and you can find them on eBay as well.

walkAbout · « **Reply #3 on:** October 02, 2012 - 04:21:03 PM »

Thanks Jamiez,

I follow your restore thread...

When searching here yesterday I also found a thread that mentioned the seal on the speedo connection. I have to take a closer look, but anyway may speedo cable is melted or somewhat. Maybe I can keep it as only the outer black skin is open. Unfortunately the winter is coming and I don't have the space to work on the Challenger as it fills the whole german garage. Maybe I take out the speedo cable and measure it too.

CU

walkAbout

Jamiez · « **Reply #4 on:** October 02, 2012 - 05:28:30 PM »

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mopar-SPEEDO-Seals-Torqueflite-727-904-A833-Manual-Transmissions-1966-1976-/370636399410?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item564ba6a332&vxp=mtr

You could try to reuse the cable, mine just had a small melted spot where it probably kissed the header at some point. Pretty much any restriction of the cable will cause the needle to "wiggle". I went back and forth on replacing mine for quite a while, and gave in when I decided to swap the gear to match the tires.

walkAbout · « **Reply #5 on:** October 03, 2012 - 06:40:55 AM »

Thanks again,

I will take a closer look and then decide what to do. My needle is not wiggling, so I don't need to hurry. Better to get the connector seal sealed first. And before the fuel sending unit seal, that is leaking too... The work never ends.

CU

walkAbout

JayBee · « **Reply #6 on:** October 03, 2012 - 09:48:05 AM »

My Parts Books list the cable length as 63 inches without auto speed control (cruise control).

walkAbout · « **Reply #7 on:** October 03, 2012 - 04:50:37 PM »

Very useful information. So the "Advance Auto" from the first post has the right length. Been under the car, strange for me, if the seal leaks, then the oil would go down directly under the seal/connector. But there is everything dry, also in the garage under the car. But the speedo cable is wet and the oil runs down the cable and drops down later at a deeper point. Here are some shots. I post it here, as it is speedo cable related. Also to see the melted cable, but I don't need to replace the cable, it runs directly above the exhaust pipe and the new one will melt again.

CU

walkAbout

Jamiez · « **Reply #8 on:** October 03, 2012 - 05:06:38 PM »

There are 2 seals in the pinion area:

If the O-Ring is shot, it will leak out at the bottom of the transmission.
If the oil seal is shot, the fluid will be able to travel up the cable.

walkAbout · « **Reply #9 on:** October 04, 2012 - 04:54:31 PM »

Thanks again Jamiez,

the picture reminded me to take a look in the big yellow service manual.

And there are more details and also a notice for tool C-4004 to install the seal. From the reading I guess only my oil seal is bad and therefore I don't have to drain the transmission.

Let's see...

CU

walkAbout

Jamiez · « **Reply #10 on:** October 04, 2012 - 05:00:25 PM »

I just used a small socket to push the seal in place...there's not much to it. I think the ring comes out with just a set of snap ring pliers.

v21jeff · « **Reply #11 on:** August 22, 2014 - 09:21:04 AM »

This seal IS very easy to replace. Install two. There is room, they are cheap less chance of needing to address again.

Racer57 · « **Reply #12 on:** August 22, 2014 - 09:37:03 AM »

My cable had an area that melted. I cleaned the area with carb cleaner really good and trimmed it. I then used a piece of 1" id shrink tubing and cut it open. Wrapped it as tight as possible around the area and used small tiewraps to hold it in place. I then heated it up avoiding the edge as much as possible in stages until it was shrunk down then did the area with the edge last. I left the tiewraps and so far for over 3,000miles its holding good.