Speedometer cable restoration

[Keith R.]

My original '60 speedometer cable has the black plastic sheath however it is cracked from age in a few places. I want to keep it as it has the proper knurled knobs and stampings. Does anyone have a solution for replacing or repairing the cracked sheath?

[Domenic T.]

Re: Speedometer cable restoration

Kieth,
I have used heat shrink tubing over motercycle cables and that might work if you can get the tubing over your cable ends.

DOM

[Keith R.]

Re: Speedometer cable restoration

Thanks Domenic. I thought of that however I'm not sure how to remove and replace one of the knurled knobs to do so. I'll have to take a closer look at whether that is doable or not.

[Dan B.]

Re: Speedometer cable restoration

Keith, I have thought of that myself for my late 59 myself. In looking at those ends, I believe they are machine crimped on the sheath and I think if you messed with them you would destroy the housing functionally. One thing I saw a while back was this black rubber tool coating that comes in a brush type can which claims to provide a coating for items dipped in it (such as tools). I imagine it would be similar to whats on the handle on a pair of pliers for example. Possible, it could be used on the cable housing. I've never tried it, but just an idea for you to explore. Dan

[Dennis O.]

Re: Speedometer cable restoration

Keith, I have thought of that myself for my late 59 myself. In looking at those ends, I believe they are machine crimped on the sheath and I think if you messed with them you would destroy the housing functionally. One thing I saw a while back was this black rubber tool coating that comes in a brush type can which claims to provide a coating for items dipped in it (such as tools). I imagine it would be similar to whats on the handle on a pair of pliers for example. Possible, it could be used on the cable housing. I've never tried it, but just an idea for you to explore. Dan

I used something similar to repair some breaks in the insulation on some fabric wiring on my '51 Ford coupe. I cleaned up the breaks and used brush on liquid electrical insulation that comes in a bottle with a brush in the cap. Don't use that brush, however. I used a flat toothpick to apply it. It goes on thin this way, and you can build it up to whatever thickness you want by using multiple applications. It worked real well for me, and the repairs are hardly detectable. Although this not the same, it would seem to me that if the plastic liquid insulation works on black fabric wire, it would be even better on something that was originally plastic coated. As with anything like this, I would expect careful preparation is the key to a good job.

[Keith R.]

Re: Speedometer cable restoration

Wondering if it is possible to un-crimp the threaded fitting on one end, install a sheath from a donor cable and then re-install the fitting with the sheath positioned over the shaft of the fitting as original?