Topic: 67 4-speed speedo cable grommet positioning

[bhoulis]

On a 67 289 4 spd car, where should the firewall grommet be on the cable relative to the dash end. I remember seeing something once that there's supposed to be a piece of tape on the cable that would tell the line worker where to stop locate the cable at the firewall. Enough to engage the speedo and enough slack on the other end to connect to the transmission. Also, any pics of the routing through the apron clip and across the firewall would be nice. Thanks. Brian

[Bossbill]

Here is what my Shelby has for its routing. Date of car in Sig.

Error on pic. Pic removed.

[J_Speegle]

.................Also, any pics of the routing through the apron clip and across the firewall would be nice. Thanks. Brian

Got it that its a small block 4 speed (3 speed should be the same) but when and where the car built just in case there were differences and especially since its a 67 - a running change 

Plus it helps narrow ( if we can) the search to only a few thousand pictures rather than maybe triple that number

[bhoulis]

SJ March 22. In the Osborn chassis manual at the top of the speedometer cable installation page it shows a cross section of the cable going through the firewall. Shows 2 pieces of tape on the cable with the grommet between them. I'm assuming it would be an identical dimension on all 67 speedo cables as the speedometer and cable firewall hole locations were same on all models. Brian

[J_Speegle]

SJ March 22. In the Osborn chassis manual at the top of the speedometer cable installation page it shows a cross section of the cable going through the firewall. Shows 2 pieces of tape on the cable with the grommet between them. I'm assuming it would be an identical dimension on all 67 speedo cables as the speedometer and cable firewall hole locations were same on all models. Brian

Sorry I misunderstood what your looking for - my mistake. You only need a measurement from the end of the speedo to the firewall.  Sorry don't have a 67 apart and I've never needed to measure the location since I can adjust that length as needed and I never considered it needed to be an exact distance just like other years and engine/trans combinations

Never heard of a guide or indicator for that purpose. One different years there were locators for other specific points

[1967 eight barrel]

That isn't what the clip looks like I had which held it to the center accelerator bracket bolt. It looks like a J clip. My top loader also has the driven gear that comes in from the passenger side of the trans, not the driver's side like the three speed and automatic vehciles.

                                                                                                  -Keith

[J_Speegle]

Guys he's looking for the "where should the firewall grommet be on the cable relative to the dash end"  the routing and retaining clips should likely be saved for another thread

[CharlesTurner]

There won't be much allowance for slack behind the dash.  Original cables are too rigid to curl or bend much.

The variance on the grommet itself can't be more than a couple inches either way once the cable is connected to the speedo.  My suggestion is to just let it settle wherever it is after connecting the cable.

[bhoulis]

Dash is not in at this time. In boxes waiting reassembly. I plan on doing firewall sealant next and want all the things going through the firewall to be properly position. Trying to not have to be moving things around once the sealant goes on. Brian

[CharlesTurner]

The firewall sealant can be touched up later if needed.  You're going to disturb it anyway pulling the cable to attach it to the cluster, there's no way around that.

[Bossbill]

I have a firewall pic of my March2 SJ 4 speed car, included here. I removed the erroneous pic from a previous post. I chose the pic 'before' the correct one! However, no sealant appears to have made it down far enough to coat the speedo cable hanger or bolt. Zoom in for detail.
As 1967 eight barrel noted, 4 speed speedos come in on the passenger side of the tranny and loop across the firewall.
3 speeds and autos come in on the driver's side and loop under the driver's footwell.

As far as the cable and grommet location, this original Ford cable (unknown if original or replacement) has a few stickers on it that appear to indicate the grommet location at about 16".

[edit] I noticed a very small drawing in the Assy Manual on this topic.
The grommet is indeed between the two pieces of tape. But, there is a third piece of tape. So the three pieces of tape (middle of 1/2" wide tape) are at the dimensions below, while holding the dash nut tight against the stop as if it were installed:
15 1/4"
16 5/8"
21"

[bhoulis]

Thanks Bill! Perfect picture. The reason for my interest in this is because I was attempting to use a new Ford service replacement cable that I had. As we all know they have a grey casing. Tried a few things, scuffing and cleaning real good then wiping with a big Sharpie. Looked OK-ish but the black scraped off too easy. Next was Plasti-Dip spray. Went on nice, looked great, felt pretty durable doing the fingernail test, but when I installed it and started moving it around and through some of the clips it scuffed and tore right down to the grey. Should have listened to BobG, he warned about this in another post I had found. Stubborn in my old age I guess. I was hoping if I had that dimension I could get the speedo end located, mount it in the clips and not have to move it around. But rather than go through the aggravation of repainting and probably scratching it up now, or later, I just ordered NPDs cable 17260-6a. Supposed to be the correct length, made by an OE supplier, etc. I have noticed that NPDs images on the website rarely match the ones in their paper catalog. The sales guy was nice enough to pull one and take a few pics of it and it does have the rubber anti-chafing sleeve for the transmission end as well as a firewall grommet already installed. With this new info from Bill, I can put the tape on it, install it, then spray undercoating all over it!!! FYI the Osborn chassis manual page 25  says "tape .50 wide - typical - on cable to be positioned at clips and grommet"   At the 3 clips, apron, firewall and footboard??? Has anyone seen these on unrestored cars? Do judges look for this?? It's like pulling on a loose thread, you don't know what's going to unravel. Brian

[bhoulis]

Forgot to mention, if you ever need to look up speedometer related stuff on that MPC download it's located in the bumper section. Go figure.    http://squarebirds.org/Manuals/1965/1965-72FordPartsTextCatalog/     

[jwc66k]

Forgot to mention, if you ever need to look up speedometer related stuff on that MPC download it's located in the bumper section. Go figure.    http://squarebirds.org/Manuals/1965/1965-72FordPartsTextCatalog/   

YIPPEE! Somebody else is recommending the download of the 75 MPC! A major step forward.
Jim

[Bossbill]

FYI the Osborn chassis manual page 25  says "tape .50 wide - typical - on cable to be positioned at clips and grommet"   At the 3 clips, apron, firewall and footboard??? Has anyone seen these on unrestored cars? Do judges look for this?? It's like pulling on a loose thread, you don't know what's going to unravel. Brian

The pic you want on page 25 is lower center. There is no attachment at the driver's footboard. That's only for 3 speed and auto.

Ok, so after you put the firewall grommet between the two pieces of tape, the next item is at the next piece of tape -- a "P" style clip  that is between the large clutch spring and the driver's air vent. See pic at center top of page 25.
The clip after that is at the outside firewall right above the bellhousing's  center.
And finally the steel surround on the cable is attached at item "U" (lower rt. in drawing).
That makes 3 "clips" and a grommet.