Found one! Ford Special speedo cable for inside housing
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Topic author - Posts: 1121
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- 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
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- MTFCI Number: 16305
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Found one! Ford Special speedo cable for inside housing
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?
Thanks!
: ^ )
Keith
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?
Thanks!
: ^ )
Keith
Last edited by KWTownsend on Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:16 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: WTB: Ford Special speedo cable for inside housing
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.
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Re: WTB: Ford Special speedo cable for inside housing
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
A message comes on saying the call cannot be completed.
Has anyone else been able to get through recently?
Harry Lillo Calgary
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Re: WTB: Ford Special speedo cable for inside housing
Why not use an authentic cable, and machine ends for it like they did originally?
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- Location: Calgary
- MTFCA Number: 13996
Re: WTB: Ford Special speedo cable for inside housing
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.
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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Topic author - 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: WTB: Ford Special speedo cable for inside housing
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.
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
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.
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 - 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
Found one!
Thanks Kim
Thanks MTFCA
: ^ )
Thanks Kim
Thanks MTFCA
: ^ )
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- 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
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 - 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
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... -Keith
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... -Keith
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- 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
There is a real nice looking Johns Manville on ebay now.