speedometer cable length Q

[hardtimes]

What is length of Model A cable. Are there any different length cables or are all same ?

[H. L. Chauvin]

No response in (9) hours?

Have no idea of different lengths; however, always found they all were too short.

Could this be why you are asking?

Someone may know where to obtain longer ones.

[denniskliesen]

They seem to be various lengths. I bought a repro housing and cable a few months ago, didn't know my speedometer was too tight and it wadded up the cable. So after I got the speedometer issue fixed I paid a visit to my local vendor. He luckily had a new cable only so I took it. I decided to give my original housing, (I think it's original because of the color and Stewart Warner is stamped on both ends of the housing barely visible but you can see it) a good cleaning up and tried the new cable in it and it fit perfect. The problem I'm seeing with the repro housings are the ends of the housing are longer than the original and they put a washer on the cable to keep it from dropping too far into the housing on the speedometer end. I'll have to look for that bag or receipt.

[hardtimes]

Originally Posted by H. L. Chauvin

No response in (9) hours?

Have no idea of different lengths; however, always found they all were too short.

Could this be why you are asking?

Someone may know where to obtain longer ones.

Hm, something that no one thinks about, maybe, eh .
A cable is a cable is a A cable.
Guess I'll have to locate one to measure end to end.

I'll admit that I've never heard the question asked either.

What I'm up to is putting a mechanical tack and dist (in B engine) driven off of Mallory distributor. Looking situation over, I think that a tach cable the length of the Model A speedo cable might do the job.

[hardtimes]

Originally Posted by denniskliesen

They seem to be various lengths. I bought a repro housing and cable a few months ago, didn't know my speedometer was too tight and it wadded up the cable. So after I got the speedometer issue fixed I paid a visit to my local vendor. He luckily had a new cable only so I took it. I decided to give my original housing, (I think it's original because of the color and Stewart Warner is stamped on both ends of the housing barely visible but you can see it) a good cleaning up and tried the new cable in it and it fit perfect. The problem I'm seeing with the repro housings are the ends of the housing are longer than the original and they put a washer on the cable to keep it from dropping too far into the housing on the speedometer end. I'll have to look for that bag or receipt.

I may have gotten lucky and located a guy who can/does make up any cable that is needed. Been in business forever and is located nearby.
Going to see him tomo morning to see the extent of what he does.

[ursus]

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Ford made cables of slightly varying length during the flathead V8 era and many of these will fit a Model A provided you have the intact cable and housing combination. Where the trouble starts is when a replacement cable is inserted into a housing that is of a different length. A very small difference can lead to binding or damage to the speedometer. When replacing a cable with a repop unit be sure you compare its length and end fitting dimensions with the one that came out of the housing.

[1930 coupe]

Is this what you are looking for, this is from a Ford parts book.
Note on the 30 31 round speedometer, the original shaft was 61.81"
when the model B's came out the parts stores started selling a longer 70" cable that would fit on several years, so measure your housing to see which one that you have.

[redmodelt]

The shaft is the cable inside. My housing is 5 ft long. I think your best idea is to have one made up. That way you can match the male/female ends to your needs also the proper length for the application.

[SeaSlugs]

Maybe your not routing it correctly so it seems short? Not saying you did but just food for thought.

[hardtimes]

Originally Posted by 1930 coupe

Is this what you are looking for, this is from a Ford parts book.
Note on the 30 31 round speedometer, the original shaft was 61.81"
when the model B's came out the parts stores started selling a longer 70" cable that would fit on several years, so measure your housing to see which one that you have.

That's it, thanks !

BTW, nice chart...if you can read it...my CVS .99 glasses bare got the job done.

FOLLOW UP:
Always nice to locate a resource/business with exceptional knowledge/service.
Anyone needing instrument calibration, fixing and cables...Morris Mintz is that guy.
He had my cable made up in under 15 minutes and out the door
For any socal or otherwise guys, I do not hesitate to go to Morris for such work.

[Binger]

Its a little off topic for this forum but I am going to need a cable that is 13" longer because of my conversion to a t-5. I thought I would find 2 cables and custom make one to the correct. I haven't really figured exactly how I was going to combine the housings yet. I need to make a trip to Bert's and find some parts.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Search for shops that do TRUCK speedos & cables! They have lots of trick stuff, like cable connectors, correction gear boxes, boxes that reverse the cable direction, etc. There's a GREAT demand for those kind of shops!--They do tachs & tach drives also.---TRUCKS ARE EVERYWHERE!!!
Bill Fast