'64 tachometer & speedometer cables

[John H.]

Car has a build date of 12/3/63...what is the correct color of the tachometer and speedometer cables? Judging manual says gray/beige (?) tach but i can't find the speedo in the guide.

[Alan Drake]

Re: '64 tachometer & speedometer cables

The speedo cable is light gray according to JG (it's in there just not sure where)

The tach as you mentioned is in the JG, however on every original car I have seen both at NCRS and local shows it's been black. SOoooo if yours is black do not order a new one yet! Mine is a Mar64, the one at the show was a very early low milage 64FI. If you do get a repro one measure it first before putting it in, the repros seem to be too long. I'm just assuming it's too long from compliants by others on board.

A new 63/64 JG is due out soon (no do not when soon is). At the National I did not loose any points for the black cable - it was just noted.

A number of other items were also noted without loss of points even though the JG called for something else. This leads me to think the new JG will correct a lot of minor items which have been wrong or multiple items available.

[William C.]

Re: '64 tachometer & speedometer cables

Look carefully at the crimped area where the tach cable is attached to the metal fitting to meet the tach drive unit. Originals had a hex crimp. Most replacements have a circular crimp and this is generally noticed by judges in the engine compartment.

[Alan Drake]

Re: '64 tachometer & speedometer cables

John, hope your question was answered:

Speedo light gray, Tach gray/beige as per JG.

Hi Bill,
Yes mine and the unrestored early 64FI at the National both have the ends "swedged", ie hex crimp. Do recall the judges did not like seeing the crimp, but wanted to see sleeve covering the metal crimped area (may very well be another cover which drops off due to age?).

[John H.]

Re: '64 tachometer & speedometer cables

Thanks for the info. My tach is black so i'm gonna hold off on that.

[Wayne M.]

Is this hex crimp non-original ?

Bill -- had this tach cable around in my parts suitcase for about 15 years. Has the hex crimp and the knurled knob, but what's with the TELEFLEX on the edge of the knob ? (found on both ends, but this is looking at the larger distributor end).

This cable measures only 21_1/2" bell-to-bell rims, and the flex cable measures 21_3/4". The closest I can come in the P&A30 catalogs is '63-64 2nd design #6409507 @ 22_1/8" overall length.

[William C.]

Re: Is this hex crimp non-original ?

Typical of original '64 and up crimp. As mentioned, this area is under the covering on 63 and earlier.

[James W.]

Re: '64 tachometer & speedometer cables

John,

My original speedo cable outer cover is ivory/biege in color. My '64 Corvette was built approximately January 18th, 1964. Tach cable outer cover is dark gray in color and is the original also.

Regards,

James West
Omaha. NE.

[Frank C.]

Re: '64 tachometer & speedometer cables

My early '64 365hp has bare spiral housings on both tach & speedo cables with round crimps. Interestingly, my Nov '62 SWC has a bare spiral tach housing and a gray speedo housing. I've owned the '64 for 29yrs, so don't suspect any foul play.