General Questions Place to post your questions that don't fit into one of the specific forums below.

Replace speedometer

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 22, 2018 | 06:35 PM
  #1  
Brynn.nicol98's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 1
Replace speedometer

I just bought a 1965 delta 88 and the speedo was cut and now I can't find where to put the cable in. I put the one side into the dash already.
Old Apr 22, 2018 | 06:40 PM
  #2  
stan 65 cutlass's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,546
From: duncan bc
did you check the drivers front wheel, dead center in the dustcap
Old Apr 22, 2018 | 07:39 PM
  #3  
joe_padavano's Avatar
Old(s) Fart
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 50,539
From: Northern VA
Your car uses a wheel-driven speedo cable. No one makes new cable sheaths for this car. The end that attaches to the spindle has a flare nut, not a normal speedo cable fitting. You also need the special dust cap on the LH hub that has the internal square drive feature to drive the cable. This is not reproduced either.
Old Dec 29, 2019 | 09:01 AM
  #4  
matchek's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 390
From: Research Triangle Park, NC
As an update, I am with the 68 Oldsmobile DELMONT 88 now. Pulled the dust cap off gingerly and the inside of cap and the cable look fine. I checked where the cable meets the speedometer under the dash and it was quite loose. It is tough to maneuver under there but I was able to get it tighter with two fingers. Maybe not lock tight but snug. The cable go in and out of the speedometer quite a bit - now just a little bit of play. Took it for a test spin and the speedometer still does no work (the needle does not move at all). Any thoughts now please?

On another note, my spare dust cap that I bought off of eBay around 4 years ago that was supposed to be a new old stock exact replacement it not an exact match - the outer diameter of my spare dust cap has a smaller outer diameter and does not fit. I wanted to try it to see if it would make a difference. I guess I should have measured it before buying it. I need to sell that. Perhaps that went on a Cutlass or other A body GM?
Old Dec 29, 2019 | 09:10 AM
  #5  
Gpc1's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 205
Could be broken cable. Try disconnecting the cable from speedometer and then try turning it if turns, cable most likely broken. If cable checks out fine then your speedometer may need a rebuild. I had a similar problem.
Rebuilding was $175.
best regards
Old Jan 4, 2020 | 04:59 PM
  #6  
matchek's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 390
From: Research Triangle Park, NC
Thank you all! Well I disconnected the speedometer cable and indeed the metal speedometer cable broke in half. The black sheathing is in perfect condition. I just pulled the metal cable right out of the sheathing easily.

Where can I get the cable again? Or do I need to get one of those custom-cut kits?
Old Jan 6, 2020 | 06:24 PM
  #7  
matchek's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 390
From: Research Triangle Park, NC
By the way, is it possible to purchase just the metal part of the cable that broke and still use the sheathe?
Old Jan 6, 2020 | 06:32 PM
  #8  
matchek's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 390
From: Research Triangle Park, NC
By the way, my Delmont has the optional 15" rims with front disc brakes and with dog-dish hub caps (as opposed to the standard 14" rims with drums and regular hub caps). Is the speedometer cable and dust caps that same for both?

I only need the speedometer cable, but I was wondering about the dust cap for the future.
Old Jan 7, 2020 | 05:11 AM
  #9  
joe_padavano's Avatar
Old(s) Fart
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 50,539
From: Northern VA
Yes, the speedo cable and dust caps are the same. The incorrect one you got is probably for a Corvair.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
70chevrolet
Other Oldsmobiles
2
May 12, 2018 09:00 AM
mauls
Transmission and Driveline
10
May 18, 2015 09:35 PM
bigretic
Interior/Upholstery
7
Apr 1, 2014 07:30 AM
dster69442
General Discussion
5
Jun 2, 2012 05:07 AM
1984supreme
Electrical
4
May 5, 2011 05:38 AM




All times are GMT -7. The time now is 10:21 PM.