70 speedometer cable

[Joseph M.]

Does anyone know if a 70 speedometer cable is available from GM? If not, who makes the best repro? I'm having trouble getting my speedo to function. I know the speedo works as it has been rebuilt and can be spun manually, but when the cable is installed it appears to be too short. Thanks.

[Joe L.]

Re: 70 speedometer cable

Does anyone know if a 70 speedometer cable is available from GM? If not, who makes the best repro? I'm having trouble getting my speedo to function. I know the speedo works as it has been rebuilt and can be spun manually, but when the cable is installed it appears to be too short. Thanks.

Joseph------


Assuming that you are talking about a 4 speed application and assuming that the proper cable is a one piece cable 72" in length, the current GM speedometer cable assembly (casing + cable) should be GM #88959478. There have been FIVE supercessions from the original part number so a lot could happen over that sort of history, but this is the best I can come up with.

[Joseph M.]

Re: 70 speedometer cable

Joe, thanks for researching this for me. I'll check and see if the cable is still available.

[Harry S.]

Re: 70 speedometer cable

Does anyone know if a 70 speedometer cable is available from GM? If not, who makes the best repro? I'm having trouble getting my speedo to function. I know the speedo works as it has been rebuilt and can be spun manually, but when the cable is installed it appears to be too short. Thanks.

Joe, if the inner cable is too short just replace the inner cable. Advanced Auto Parts has an inner-cable kit for $9.09. Their part number is 03368. The inner-cable on my 63 just broke and it took no time to cut and crimp the new inner-cable.

All you need is the length measurement for the inner-cable.

[Joseph M.]

Re: 70 speedometer cable

Harry, thanks for that info. I didn't know that kit was available.

[Joe L.]

Re: 70 speedometer cable

Harry, thanks for that info. I didn't know that kit was available.

Joseph------


I assumed that you meant the complete cable assembly was too short (although I couldn't figure out how that could be the case if you were just re-installing the assembly). As a matter of fact, I can't figure out how the cable component itself could be too short if the assembly was previously installed and performed without problem.

You can obtain a "one size fits all" inner cable kit under current GM #88960343. This cable is cut to length and the speedometer end then crimped on using a little tool supplied with the kit or has a plastic end which is glued on. Personally, I don't like either style. My choice is to go to a speedometer shop and have them make up a cable of the correct length. It doesn't even cost that much.

Keep in mind that the cable can only be removed from the casing at the speedometer end.

[Joseph M.]

Re: 70 speedometer cable

Joe, prior to the restoration process I did not drive the car so I can't confirm that the speedo woked. Since posting I've located a 72 inch inner cable from a 70 4spd. It has a black plastic end secured to the cable. Now my question is does the black plastic end go into the transmission or the speedo? Thanks.

[Joe L.]

Re: 70 speedometer cable

Joe, prior to the restoration process I did not drive the car so I can't confirm that the speedo woked. Since posting I've located a 72 inch inner cable from a 70 4spd. It has a black plastic end secured to the cable. Now my question is does the black plastic end go into the transmission or the speedo? Thanks.

Joseph-----


If it's a plastic end, the inner cable was replaced at some time. The plastic end goes into the speedometer. The other "squared" end goes into the transmission.

[Mark H.]

Re: 70 speedometer cable

My '71 M20 also had an intermittent speedo problem. The cable was barely sticking out of the speedometer end, and had about an inch and a half on the transmission gear end. I pulled the actual cable out about 1/2 an inch on the speedo end and it has worked flawlessly for 6 years. Mark