69 Tachometer Cable
Just tore up the tach cable on my 69. This has to be pulled out from under the dash. What is the procedure; are there any tricks to this?
Thanks
John McRae 30025
Thanks
John McRae 30025
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Re: 69 Tachometer Cable
Need really small hands and fingers and patience. Suggest disconnecting the battery first. Pulling the cable out from the tachometer won't be too difficult as the end of the cable that goes to it has a clip or clips holding the cable in place. I removed the upper dash screws to be able to lift the upper dash enough to get my hands back there. After disconnecting it the cable then should come right out through the firewall. Use silicone spray on the rubber grommet on the firewall.
Installing the end of the cable to the tachometer is a bit more difficult as that clip or clips have to be spread enough to snap the cable end onto the back of the tachometer.
You may want to use a small telescoping mirror and light to see what you're dealing with first.
Someone else on the TDB might explain a simpler method.
Scott Sims
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Re: 69 Tachometer Cable
Typically, this is the inner cable that's gone bye-bye and repair kits are off-the-shelf items at your local auto parts store.
Basically, you disconnect the cable from the distributor drive and the tach, then pull out/remove the original inner drive cable. Measure it's length and go to your local auto parts store for a speedo repair cable kit that's of equal or greater length.
You cut the replacement inner cable to match the length of your original and stake the drive pin head on. Now, thoroughly clean the outer cable sheath of its old, dried up, caked on lubricant and let 'er dry up.
Coat the replacement inner cable with your choice of speedo lubricant (different folks like different products, but your auto parts store will have a selection for you). Then, re-insert the inner cable into the original sheath and re-connect the ends.
You can do this WITHOUT removing the outer cable's sheath from the car (it can be a PITA trying to R&R the cable through the grommet in the firewall)... Now, that's IF (a big if) you take precaution(s) to capture any overspray from the solvent you use to clean the dried lube out of the sheath!
Brake cleaner works for this, but do NOT let 'dribble' onto the firewall or engine compartment components... It's a GREAT paint solvent! Plus, using compressed air to blow residual debris out of the sheath is even better than letting the outer cable air dry. But, watch out for the 'fly out' of debris and solvent when/if you use compresed air...Comment
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Re: 69 Tachometer Cable
Thanks Guys,
It took a few phone calls to find a supplier for this cable kit but I've got one coming tomorrow. Shortest on is 72", need about 21".
Scott, when you say upper dash do you mean the dash pads? Move it up so I can get in behind it? This sounds like fun. It's pretty busy behind there.
JohnComment
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Re: 69 Tachometer Cable
I just replaced mine yesterday. With the seat removed I laid on the floor head under the dash. I was able to depress the spring clip on the tach with my left hand and pull the cable from back toward the firewall with my right. I was surprised by how well it went.
btw...mine is a '72 non-a/c car.Comment
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Re: 69 Tachometer Cable
May be wrong about this, but seem to remember someone using a split piece of hose fitted over the cable to push on the spring to release it.Comment
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Re: 69 Tachometer Cable
In searching for a new replacement tach cable; Corvette Central offers a 23 inch replacement.
Is this the correct length for a 69?
Is it better to buy the repair kit which has the inner steel cable and steel tip or replace the entire cable?Comment
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Re: 69 Tachometer Cable
If you replace the entire cable assy, you'll face these issues:
(1) Outer sheath & connector hardware may be of service replacement vs. factory original configuration which will result in judging point deduction(s).
(2) Routing the entire cable assy through the firewall grommet can be an exercise in frustration!
But, sometimes the internal damage to the cable precludes simply pulling the old/existing inner cable component and replacing it with a speedo/tach repair cable kit. The repair kits that you cut to match the length of your existing inner cable are rather inexpensive, easy to work with and they'll preserve your original outer cable components. So, it's an issue that you call on a case by case basis...Comment
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Re: 69 Tachometer Cable
I totally agree with Jack. After replacing one complete cable assembly I lean toward the kit. Partcularly since mine just went out again in my '70.Comment
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Re: 69 Tachometer Cable
Well I thought it was my cable as the tach was rebuilt a year ago. I disconected the cable from the distributor. The inside steel cable would not budge with force aplied without pliers so I gently pulled on it with pliers and it would not budge.
My thinking is the cable would have easily pulled out if broken. If this is true it only leaves the distributor or the tach itself.
Any thoughts?Comment
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TerryComment
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Re: 69 Tachometer Cable
Terry,
Would you agree with my assumption that the cable is good?
That my problem now resides in the distributor or tach itself?Comment
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Re: 69 Tachometer Cable
I don't know Erv. There is only so much one can do over the Internet. Automotive troubleshooting is by its very nature a hands-on activity and the Internet will never substitute for that. However, the fact that the cable turns with difficulty does not bode well for the tach cable or the tachometer head unit.
The most common cause of tachometer failure on those distributor driven tachs is the failure of the cross shaft / distributor mainshaft interface. Take the cross gear out (it just unscrews) and see what you find.
The next most common is failure of the cross gear to tach drive cable interface. The cable end is supposed to be square to fit in the cross gear. The cable end will often round off and then the tach fails.
Replacing the tach cable is the most difficult operation. Check the cross gear and the end of the cable as a first step. Do the easy things first. However, the bad news is just because the cross gear or cable end is bad doesn't mean that the damage wasn't started by a bound up cable or seized tachometer head. One needs to examine all the possible problems or you will be back doing the job again. Of course it will be easier the second time around.TerryComment
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Re: 69 Tachometer Cable
Terry,
Im reassembling my dash and purchased a new tach cable for this. My problem is, while handling the outer cable the inner fell out and I wasn't sure which side the "stop" is supposed to be on. Judging by your above post, I'm assuming the stop on the inner cable goes toward the dash the opposite of how I have it in the attached pic. Is this correct? Thanks for your help.
Mike
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Re: 69 Tachometer Cable
From the pic, it looks like the outer sheathing is thinner and more bendable making the inner cable fall into cable. When you bend it it doesn't't meet the tach drive to spin. My original was only 19.5". I
bought so many but finally got the right one from Corvette america. These are all made in China so good Luck!!!Comment
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