Squeaky tach cable from hell...

[Dennis K.]

Hi Guys,

Yeah... this squeaky tach cable issue has come up on the forum at least 20,000 times... and I have posted on the topic once or twice... but my efforts to repair my situation have been to no avail. I REALLY need some advice/help here. I am now declaring war on my tach cable and will NOT let it beat me. (READ: I am feeling like Chevy Chase in the movie "Vacation" - we're going to get to Wally World one way or another on this one!)

Anyway - I am hoping one of you has some advice on some potential next steps for resolution (nothing is off the table here... this is WAR!). What I have done to date:

1. Had the tach rebuilt - still squeaked.
2. Replaced the cable - still squeaked.
3. Added Sil-Glide (silicon based lubricant to cable - local tach/speedo shop recommended I add this) - still squeaked
4. Cut about 1/8 inch off back end of cable to ensure it "seated right" (did this on recommendation from the NCRS tech forum) - still squeaked.
5. Bought a second new cable and tried it (after the original still squeaked) - still squeaked.
6. Removed the cable from the distributor and drove the tach via a drill to check squeak - no squeak (but this was driven by drill... and I don't know the exact RPMs).
7. Plugged cable back into distributor - squeak returned.
8. Removed the tach cable from the tach and let the distributor drive it - cable squeaked.

So... it appears that my squeak is in the cable/distrbutor side... and not in the tach itself. Any ideas/thoughts?

thx,
Dennis

[Terry B.]

Re: Squeaky tach cable from hell...

Have you tried lubricating the distributor right where the cable attaches? Seems like you've addressed all other possibilities. I think there is a lube spiget on the distributor itself maybe a dash of oil there?

[Dennis K.]

Re: Squeaky tach cable from hell...

Thx Terry. Nope - haven't tried that yet, but I will lube it tonight and see what happens. Could the tach drive fitting in the distributor have gone bad? Just thinking... maybe the actual drive is not rotatitg "straight" causing wild thrashing with the cable rotation? Is the drive fitting in the distributor replaceable?

-Dennis

[Dennis K.]

Re: Squeaky tach cable from hell...

Just found this at Eckler's: http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...1962-1974.html
and this at LI Corvette: http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb....5AABAR~Z5Z5Z51

Anyone use either with results?

thx,
Dennis

[Tom R.]

Re: Squeaky tach cable from hell...

When you say you replaced the cable, you only replaced the spiral-wound/pressed interior cable and not the housing? I wonder if there is something to do with the housing that is causing this?

[Tom R.]

Re: Squeaky tach cable from hell...

When you say you replaced the cable, you only replaced the spiral-wound/pressed interior cable and not the housing? I wonder if there is something to do with the housing that is causing this?

Another thought is to disassemble the gear/housing on the distr. and lubricate those parts and look for wear and see if that works. Cheaper than replacing the housing.

[Dennis K.]

Re: Squeaky tach cable from hell...

Thx Guys. For clarity - I replaced the cable and housing (twice). The replacement tach cables I purchased were "combined" cable + housings... Ready to install onto he tach and distributor. I am starting to think about rebuilding the gear drive in the distributor... Do you think the Eckler's kit is the way to go? Seems expensive. I'm already pretty well $pent on this one. But hey - Chevy Chase was committed to Wally World!!

[Joe R.]

Re: Squeaky tach cable from hell...

Dennis,

One word of warning! IF you keep slapping on silicone lube to the cable, cable ends etc. it will end up in the head of the tachometer. That will be evident when the tach takes an immediate clockwise motion and stays there. Then you will be sending the tach back to the rebuilder for a cleaning job.

JR

[Donald L.]

Re: Squeaky tach cable from hell...

One area of possibility is the correct indexing of the distributor. Is the cable and distributor drive gear coupling straight with each other or is there sharp curves to each other?

[Francis F.]

Re: Squeaky tach cable from hell...

Dennis perhaps you problem is similar to mine,why not try a 90*degree adapter avail from ZIP prod used for tac's/speedo's
cost about 39$
FRANCIS

[Ken A.]

Re: Squeaky tach cable from hell...

Sounds like a worn out distributor. Should be refurbed by a pro.

[Robert C.]

Re: Squeaky tach cable from hell...

Dennis - did this ever get resolved ?

Running into the same noise - '67. Original cable lasted until this year, then broke.

First replacement was too long, grabbed another one from LI Corvette and it looked perfect.

Installed it and "squeak, squeak". Tach was quiet up to this point.

Curious if you found the cause.........

Bob

[Bruce B.]

Re: Squeaky tach cable from hell...

Dennis,
Silicon is not a good lubricant for this type of application.
A good grade lithium grease will serve the application better.
The properties of silicone have been very oversold.

[Jim D.]

Re: Squeaky tach cable from hell...

Dennis,
Silicon is not a good lubricant for this type of application.
A good grade lithium grease will serve the application better.
The properties of silicone have been very oversold.

Years ago, I had a cable made at the local speedo shop. I asked the old timer for some super duper cable grease. He said to use Vaseline. He'd been using it for over 50 years and never had a problem. I haven't been using it quite that long but no problems here either.

[Timothy B.]

Re: Squeaky tach cable from hell...

Jim,

How about powered graphite like what's used on door locks..