MTFCA Forum

Hi all,

I am looking for a way and parts to rebuild the speedo meter inner cable.
The original cable is build up with shackles.
Can I buy somewhere a new inner cable or is there a way to rebuild the broken shackle? In the MTFCA speedometer book.

Thaks
Andre
Belgium

Andre- best to replace the links with a modern cable core. If the old inks jam up, its possible to destroy the gears in the swivel. I've had good luck sliding a length of 1/4" ID nylon tubing inside the housing from one end to the other for the cable to run inside of. You might contact Russ Furstnow for some assistance with this.

I still run the chain links in all my cars and they work well with no issues. If the housing is well greased and the chain is preloaded they should work well unless they were bent somehow and a visual inspection should disclose that.

Due to the size differences if you take a "modern" cable housing and all it fits inside the original speedometer cable housing.
To be clear here - The outside diameter of a "modern" cable is smaller than the inner diameter of the original stock Model T cable housing.
Remove the inner spring cable and cut the housing to length to be a sleeve adapter / filler inside the original housing.
You will have to adapt / remake / solder / braze / crimp / or whatever is needed to adapt the inner spring to the proper ends that fit the swivel and speedometer head.
Living in the cheap seats, the guts for me are usually missing or totally shot so it needs to be reworked to operate.
Find some flea market unknown cable in a bargain bin that is longer than needed.
The cables were common for many years, the ends and length were changed to fit specific cars.
Since the "new" cable ends will not be used, ignore what is there.

If all the links are there and still in good shape a good cleaning and greasing will give years of service.
Whatever you do make sure it is properly lubricated, smooth and not binding to insure a long happy service life.

Mike

I have accumulated a few modern inner and outer cables to fit within the original T outer cable housing, but I have never got around to using them. When I finally got all the components for my first speedo for my roadster, it was a Corbin unit. the original cable links for these are more than just the Stewart cocky chain of bent wire links. It works perfectly, so the modern ones sit on the shelf still.

Allan from down under.