63 Tach Cable Repro or Original?

[Daniel K.]

Good evening,

Please see the attached pictures of the tach cable out of my 63. I've read through a number of archived posts on replacing the tach cable and I've several questions to ask of the group:

1. The length of this cable is ~23.5" with the little plastic job-r-do that goes inside of the tach. Correct length?

2. Since there is a little plastic thing at the tack end of the cable, I am to assume this was an aftermarket fix?

3. Did original cables have both ends squared off?

4. Long term solution is to go to the local speedo shop and have a new cable built along with the correct lubrication and reinstall.

Thanks for your help and advice.

Dan K.

[Mike M.]

Re: 63 Tach Cable Repro or Original?

Good evening,

Please see the attached pictures of the tach cable out of my 63. I've read through a number of archived posts on replacing the tach cable and I've several questions to ask of the group:

1. The length of this cable is ~23.5" with the little plastic job-r-do that goes inside of the tach. Correct length?

2. Since there is a little plastic thing at the tack end of the cable, I am to assume this was an aftermarket fix?

3. Did original cables have both ends squared off?

4. Long term solution is to go to the local speedo shop and have a new cable built along with the correct lubrication and reinstall.

Thanks for your help and advice.

Dan K.

the plastic bushing has been added at the speedo shop when it was fabricated. it was included in ac delco speedo kits i bought in the 70's. one could take the universal cable, cut it to length and then the plastic bushing was installed. original cables were squared off in a press and lacked the plastic bushing. if you intend to have the midyear judged, try to find an original cable with housing as the repo housings have incorrect swedging of the insulation on the ends of the housing.mike

[Joe L.]

Re: 63 Tach Cable Repro or Original?

the plastic bushing has been added at the speedo shop when it was fabricated. it was included in ac delco speedo kits i bought in the 70's. one could take the universal cable, cut it to length and then the plastic bushing was installed. original cables were squared off in a press and lacked the plastic bushing. if you intend to have the midyear judged, try to find an original cable with housing as the repo housings have incorrect swedging of the insulation on the ends of the housing.mike

Mike------


It's possible he still has the original cable sheath. A lot of times folks just replaced the inner drive cable without replacing the whole thing. In fact, with the plastic end, I think this is even more likely. I think the tach cables which were sold complete with sheath usually didn't have the plastic end.

[Daniel K.]

Re: 63 Tach Cable Repro or Original?

I can take a picture of the cable as it is in the car. Would it be possible to ID the swedging from the picture?

[Daniel K.]

Re: 63 Tach Cable Repro or Original?

Attached picture of distributor end of tach cable housing.

[Joe L.]

Re: 63 Tach Cable Repro or Original?

Attached picture of distributor end of tach cable housing.

Dan------


The cable sheath and fitting looks very old to me. However, I'm not that well versed on 1963 tach cables, so I'll leave it to those that are to weigh in.

[Chuck G.]

Re: 63 Tach Cable Repro or Original?

Attached picture of distributor end of tach cable housing.

That's an original 63 cable sheath, Dan.

Here's a pic of an entire cable....both ends have the rubber "over" the metal ferrule ends. Repro's have the rubber "under" the metal ferrule ends.

Chuck

[Bob J.]

Re: 63 Tach Cable Repro or Original?

Attached picture of distributor end of tach cable housing.

Dan, it looks correct to me. Bob

[Daniel K.]

Re: 63 Tach Cable Repro or Original?

Okay, thanks guys. I appreciate your help on this. Original tach cable....good news indeed!

Regards,

Dan K.

[Wayne M.]

Re: 63 Tach Cable Repro or Original?

That's an original 63 cable sheath, Dan.

Here's a pic of an entire cable....both ends have the rubber "over" the metal ferrule ends. Repro's have the rubber "under" the metal ferrule ends.

Chuck

Chuck -- then would this tach cable be 1964-65 ? Would the 1963 cable have the same ferrule lettering ?

I also attach a pic of a '65-(66 ?) speedo cable showing the ends.

[Bob R.]

Re: 63 Tach Cable Repro or Original?

I took my original tach cable and repaired the cable using a repair kit I got at NAPA. I worked great at first but after a year it broke again. It is such a pain to replace that I just went and got a repro. I don't want to fix it again for a good long time.

[Alan D.]

Re: 63 Tach Cable Repro or Original?

Dan,
The cable is a recurrent subject mostly after somebody has broken the cable yet again. The stock cables were 22 1/8, 24 1/8, 25 1/8 however it seems the repo houses sell one size fits all. Vaguely remember members talking about making custom (exact) lengths - try a search if need be.

Nice picture Wayne, just like my 64 cable - - yes black! (first picture)

[John D.]

Re: 63 Tach Cable Repro or Original?

Very good post men. Nice pics for sure. We need more good posts like this one.
I always have wondered why someone would take the time and big bucks to reproduce the 63 tach cable assembly and then put the end of it on incorrectly. Maybe they were copying the 65 style???

[Steve D.]

Re: 63 Tach Cable Repro or Original?

Take your original housing to a speedo shop, they will make you a correct cable for the housing, metal on both ends...Cost me $20.00..

There are some foreign repo's out there that are wound the wrong direction,
causing the lube to end up in the Tach or Speedo.. Causing failure.

Steve

[Joe L.]

Re: 63 Tach Cable Repro or Original?

Take your original housing to a speedo shop, they will make you a correct cable for the housing, metal on both ends...Cost me $20.00..

Steve

Steve------


That's the way to get it done right.