Found one! Ford Special speedo cable for inside housing

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KWTownsend
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* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: late 1911 touring, 1915 runabout, 1919 touring, brass speedster
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Found one! Ford Special speedo cable for inside housing

Post by KWTownsend » Tue Mar 31, 2020 1:58 pm

I am working on a speedometer project for my 1915. I have everything I need, but the cable housing for the flex shaft does not have the cable inside of it! It does not use links like a Stewart speedometer, it is an actual cable with special ends.

The reproduction cable is in Lang's catalog, but they are on backorder.

Does anyone have one that they were going to use, but didn't?
Ford Special speedo cable 2.jpg
Thanks!

: ^ )

Keith
Last edited by KWTownsend on Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:16 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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RajoRacer
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Re: WTB: Ford Special speedo cable for inside housing

Post by RajoRacer » Tue Mar 31, 2020 4:00 pm

I'm quite sure that Al Murray (Murray Motor Car) in Woodinville, WA produces those, Keith - might check with them - I'll check my stash also.


Harry Lillo
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Re: WTB: Ford Special speedo cable for inside housing

Post by Harry Lillo » Tue Mar 31, 2020 6:07 pm

I have attempted to contact Al for some cables at 425 487 1902 which is the number on his website.
A message comes on saying the call cannot be completed.
Has anyone else been able to get through recently?
Harry Lillo Calgary


Original Smith
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Re: WTB: Ford Special speedo cable for inside housing

Post by Original Smith » Wed Apr 01, 2020 12:08 pm

Why not use an authentic cable, and machine ends for it like they did originally?


Harry Lillo
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Re: WTB: Ford Special speedo cable for inside housing

Post by Harry Lillo » Wed Apr 01, 2020 10:43 pm

Larry,
I have had speedometers on my Model T's since the 1980's. I have both the Al Murray conversions and the original Stewart chain links.
The original chain cables have given me some problems. I took care to select a good outer housing and good links. I have a good selection
of original ends so do not have to machine them as you suggest.
The speedometer worked well for quite some time and I was careful about lubrication of the links.
On two different occasions however the cable locked up in the housing and I lost my fiber drive gear. I believe this may of happened in reverse?
With the conversion inner cables I have never had the cable seize nor lost a fiber drive gear.
Please tell us about your experiences with original links.

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KWTownsend
Posts: 1121
Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 6:51 pm
First Name: Keith
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* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: late 1911 touring, 1915 runabout, 1919 touring, brass speedster
Location: Gresham, Orygun
MTFCA Number: 14778
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Re: WTB: Ford Special speedo cable for inside housing

Post by KWTownsend » Thu Apr 02, 2020 11:53 am

Larry-
I have an empty cable housing, I would like to be able to restore and use the parts I have with a replacement inside cable.

I know you know this, but I will remind you that the Ford Special used in 1915 does not use chain links inside the flex shaft. It uses an actual cable similar to speedometers of later years.

A Stewart flex shaft with chain links cannot be used on a Ford Special set up.

The outside diameter of the flex shaft of the Ford Special is only 1/2"whereas the outside diameter of the Stewart is 5/8". The threaded ends for the Ford Special is 7/8" and the Stewart is 3/4". The Ford Special cable is 54" long. The Stewart cable of that era is 48" long. Although the top end is similar in design, the cable has a different lower end tip that slides into the pinion bearing assembly.
Ford Special vs Stewart cable ends.jpg
For anyone still reading, the MTFCA has a wonderful book written by Russ Rurstnow on Model T speedometers available here:
https://modeltstore.myshopify.com/colle ... nt=9278682

Russ also wrote a second very comprehensive book about speedometers that is, "a study of speedometer entrepreneurs, manufacturers and early speedometer components from 1908-1927." It covers not only speedometers equipped for the Model T, but also includes aftermarket speedometers as well as speedometers that were used on non-Fords vehicles. This book is available here:
http://bobsantiqueautoparts.com/product ... -furstnow/

If you are a techno-nerd like both Larry and I are, you will enjoy both of these books!

If I am not able to locate an replacement cable for my Ford Special, I would be interested if anyone has a serviceable flex shaft complete with housing and cable.

: ^ )

Keith

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Topic author
KWTownsend
Posts: 1121
Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 6:51 pm
First Name: Keith
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* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: late 1911 touring, 1915 runabout, 1919 touring, brass speedster
Location: Gresham, Orygun
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Re: Found one! Ford Special speedo cable for inside housing

Post by KWTownsend » Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:17 pm

Found one!
Thanks Kim
Thanks MTFCA

: ^ )


Original Smith
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Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 10:43 am
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Re: Found one! Ford Special speedo cable for inside housing

Post by Original Smith » Sat Apr 04, 2020 10:45 am

Keith: Great that you found the inside cable! I was going to volunteer to send you one to copy. Would you kindly post a photo of the one you found?

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Topic author
KWTownsend
Posts: 1121
Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 6:51 pm
First Name: Keith
Last Name: Townsend
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: late 1911 touring, 1915 runabout, 1919 touring, brass speedster
Location: Gresham, Orygun
MTFCA Number: 14778
MTFCA Life Member: YES
MTFCI Number: 16305
Board Member Since: 1999

Re: Found one! Ford Special speedo cable for inside housing

Post by KWTownsend » Sun Apr 05, 2020 1:40 am

Larry-
Good to know. If Kim's doesn't fit the bill, I'll come knocking on your door!
Here is what is on its way...
Kim speedo 2.jpg
Kim speedo 1.jpg
-Keith


Original Smith
Posts: 3284
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 10:43 am
First Name: Larry
Last Name: Smith
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 13 Touring, 13 Roadster, 17 Coupelet, 25 Roadster P/U
Location: Lomita, California
MTFCA Number: 121
MTFCA Life Member: YES
MTFCI Number: 16310

Re: Found one! Ford Special speedo cable for inside housing

Post by Original Smith » Sun Apr 05, 2020 11:19 am

There is a real nice looking Johns Manville on ebay now.

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