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Speedometer cable
Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2021 4:45 pm
by baxtersit
I've replaced my old 4 speed with a 5 speed but can't understand how to attach the speedometer cable to the side of the transmission. Seems there's not enough room to screw it on with the cable so stiff. I think I'm missing something obvious here. Thanks in advance.
Re: Speedometer cable
Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2021 5:39 pm
by 23yrRebuild
For my early, 1967, I had to use the right angle cable adapter from the 4-speed to connect the speedometer cable to the 5-speed. You might also need to make some room in your transmission tunnel for that adapter to fit in there.
Mike
Re: Speedometer cable
Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2021 6:37 pm
by theunz
I believe the 5 speed requires a longer cable than the 4 speed. Sounds like Mike may have a work around.
Re: Speedometer cable
Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2021 7:04 pm
by rwmann
A 5-speed conversion should also use the correct lower crossmember (“supportâ€), which is shorter than the 4-speed lower crossmember, and locates a 5-speed transmission just enough lower in the tunnel to make it possible to install the (longer) 5-speed speedometer cable with enough clearance so as not to kink the cable or require a 90-degree drive adapter.
Re: Speedometer cable
Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2021 10:37 pm
by JT68
rwmann wrote: Tue Aug 10, 2021 7:04 pm
A 5-speed conversion should also use the correct lower crossmember (“supportâ€), which is shorter than the 4-speed lower crossmember, and locates a 5-speed transmission just enough lower in the tunnel to make it possible to install the (longer) 5-speed speedometer cable with enough clearance so as not to kink the cable or require a 90-degree drive adapter.
all correct. except for early cars there was no 5-speed crossmember, so you drop the 4-speed member down and use only the lower 4 bolts. The other "gotcha" is what Mike pointed out, all the later cars had a relief in the floor board/tunnel to clear the cable. You may need to fab that depending on the year of your body..have fun!
Re: Speedometer cable
Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2021 11:08 pm
by Tomc18
If you still have the 90 degree adapter from the 4 speed, you may just want to use that and the old cable on the 5 speed - but fitment is very tight! You will have wished you installed it when it was out of the car. I also cut my 4 speed cross member in half so it doesn't sit lower than the chassis when using just the 4 lower bolts
Re: Speedometer cable
Posted: Wed Aug 11, 2021 9:20 am
by Gregs672000
I hate that cable, it's always fought me and you have little room to work. Will you gain more access by removing the trans mount so the whole thing drops down a bit? It will only go so far before the trans rests on the frame, but maybe this will gain enough room to be able to manipulate things and get it done. Good luck, you'll eventually figure I out!
Re: Speedometer cable
Posted: Wed Aug 11, 2021 8:17 pm
by baxtersit
Thanks for all of the suggestions everyone.