correct path for running a tach cable?

[svwilbur]

Can someone verify the correct path for the tach cable to take after going through the firewall ? The one I took out was to the left of the metal boxed area under the stearing column. But that makes the cable make a pretty severe tight S bend before going into the tach which is where the old one unraveled and got hung up and then broke down by the distributor.


I tried relocating the old cable and go thru the box but it seemed to be too low to then attach to the tach.

Is there a prefered, more straight route for the tach cable?

[Nissanman]

Here's a pic of the firewall showing where the tach cable exits.
No idea whether this is a 2L or not

Datsun 001.jpg

[svwilbur]

Yup that is right but the part I am wondering about is from that point to the tach. It is all very tight and twisty the way mine was run and caused the cable to wear and break. Does the cable run on the left or rght of the reinforced "box" area below the steering colomn support or through it or some other path. The boxed area seems to be right in the way.

This is a 70 which has the tach in the center between the speedometer to the left and the 4 guages water temp, oil pressure, ammeter fuel on the right.

[svwilbur]

I tried running it kind of parallel to the speedometer to the right of the column and that seemed to fit better than to the left of the column. So I left it to the right of the column. On the right side it seems to have a bit more space cut out of the "box" under the steering so it ft better on the right.

I took the old one out by pushing it from the cabin into the engine compartment. I tied a string to it on the way out and used the string to pull the new one back thru under some cables/hoses and into the whole in the firewall. I am not sure why there were two weather boots, grommets for the firewall on the new cable. It seems to only need one. Only one piece of metal that it passes through.

I had to try to twist it to get it to enguage with the distributor. I had looked to see how the other one came out but it just did not want to catch quickly and I had a hard tme getting access to it, Big hands. Finally got it.

The hardest part was getting the grommet to go into the firewall. Spent about 20 minutes dorking with it and finally got it crompeled up in there and then could smooth it out properly. Boy that is tough rubber.

But it all works smoothly again.

[Nissanman]

For grommets and such you can use dish washing liquid as a lubricant.
Makes it a slippery little critter but also makes it easier to get it into the hole.

[svwilbur]

Thanks, Next time I will try that. It did not seem to be that it would not go, it seemed like it was too big for the small hole. But maybe the lubricant would have helped. I know it the past I have put some spit on stuff to help it along but did not try that this time. Kind of hard getting my head and arms up in that spot under the steering wheel on my back with my body hanging out the door on the floor and crushing the seat corner. Makes me feel every year that I am old! Getting up out of that position is hard for me now a days.

[Geordie]

I feel you brother!!

[yusef]

Can someone post a photo of an appropriately routed tach cable from fire wall to gauge?

Thanks!

[spyder]

What is a tach cable?

[nismou20]

I think I recall that even in the proper position it seemed offset. It never lined up directly.

[johnnylane@att.net]

I'm running into the same issues. Can someone post a pic with the cable routed correctly?

[CSP311]

I think I recall that even in the proper position it seemed offset. It never lined up directly.

Part of the problem shifting from a principly RHD designed model to squashing everything into fitting into a LHD export model I am afraid.