My speedo cable gave up the ghost last week. When I pulled the old one, I noticed that it broke right in the speedometer. Obviously, can't put the new one in. Any ideas on how to get the remaining bit of cable out of the speedo housing??? I've tried magnets and some dental tools to try to get in there. Really do not want to have to take the speedo out.

Appreciate the help!

 

Take 'er up to 125 MPH, then slam on the brakes!!

 

Of course, I know the problem with that.
Without a speedo, how do you know when you hit 125......

 

With the housing disconnected from the speedo, crawl under the car and also unscrew it from the trans. Push on the end of the cable at the trans end and it will come out the speedo end.

 

Joe, he said a piece is stuck in the speedo, so he can't put a new (or old) cable into the speedo without first removing the piece that is broke off in the speedo.

Sorry, 4speedBench, we're old and not *always* helpful.....

 

Yeah Joe, sheesh! JK You are going to have to remove that speed o my friend. then take a speaker magnet and tap the speedo lightly on top of it until the piece comes out. Good luck. Man, what a pain!

 

OOPS.

Once again, I should not write a post when I'm supposed to be paying attention in a meeting. Sorry for the confusion.

If you can access the back of the speedo, try making a small loop in the end of some fine wire. Push the loop into the end of the speedo drive and "lasso" the remainder of the cable, pulling it out. Conversely get a "sneaky pete" tool used for installing the rear main seal. This is similar to the old Chinese finger trap and should similarly be able to fit into the end of the speedo drive and snag the stump of the cable.

 

Thanks guys!

Joe, you redeemed yourself w/ the "sneaky Pete" suggestion. I was just thinking (over a cold one), I may try grinding down a set of tweezers to see if I can get a grip on the sucker! It is maddening.

 

Another question for you guys. I noticed when pulling out the old cable that it was routed up over the bellhousing and then into the cabin department on the driver's side. It looked correct, with factory heat tubing around that portion of the cable...just had never seen that before. Is that correct for 4 speed car?

 

Do you have a set of forceps? These are generally much smaller than needlenose pliers, plus they have the latching handles so they don't slide very easily. You can get them in the pharmacy at Wal Mart.

 

Our '68 four speeds go up and over the bell housing, through a clip on the toe pan and up to a hole beside the steering column; seems to me that the assembly manual had a clip on the upper left trans mounting bolt too.

 

Thanks guys. I'm still at it... Have not found some forceps, but that may do the trick. And yes Yellow, I saw the loop "snap" on the driver's side, I'll check passenger again.

 

Well guys FINALLY got the speedo issue fixed. I ultimately did have to remove the heater control assembly to get my arm in there to undo the speedo and pull it from the car. Once on my bench, it took all of two minutes to get the $%#&* broken tip out. My arm still looks like I spent time in some SouthEast POW camp, but the 442 is back on the road!! Now I just need to find the plastic swivel piece on top the heater control assembly (defrost/floor selector) which broke off in my above efforts.

Thanks for the insight & help.

 

I have a new in the plastic speedo cable from OPG for a 4 speed. You want it?