Speedometer Cable for 1968 Newport

Ghostultramarine

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I pulled my speedo cable at the dash and it was fine, but the transmission end’s cable was broken inside.

Looking online at the major retailers (all my local shops were, of course, closed by 7pm, (the time I checked the tranny end of the cable)), there are various lengths and part numbers given. It can’t possibly take a 63” and an 80” interchangeably.

The pictures did not help and the reviews are all over the place.

What is a good brand and model number that would work contemporarily?
 
80" is likely a "universal" replacement, and one simply tucks the excess out of the way without making it bend too tightly.

63" sounds about right for a cable - dependent of course on if the car does NOT have factory Autopilot (cruise control). If so equipped, you have TWO speedo cables - one from the trans to the Autopilot Servo (typically about 40 - 50"), and one from the servo to the speedo, typically 30 - 40" if I recall correctly.
 
I do not have “auto-pilot” as I believe the shop manual calls it.

Hey, can a person just buy the square inner cable line and just cut it to size and insert it in the olde cable sleeve?!
 
The inner cable is round. Only the ends are square.
 
Here is one way:



The interweb shows universal kits are available.

Why is it always when you need to see if a part is available locally, you only find out JUST after the shops close?!
 

The ebay ad claims it is 68" long. Rock Auto (and others) say theirs are 80" long. I don't want to pull mine out to measure until I have the replacement as I do not have a cap for the tranny.

Local Mopar dealership part dept. say their computers now only go back to 1982.

Reading more ads, they are often stating the 80" is longer than the original. I guess by a good foot. That seems pretty excessive. As does the $23.25 shipping for that cable (to Canuckistan).
 
At this point in time, almost every speedo cable kit you find will be the 80" universal fit item. You can use your existing cable housing and cut the inner part (cable) to fit. These kits should come with a plastic square end, with a dab of adhesive inside of it to apply to the end you cut to length, to make it square. The OEM production cables had that end squished into a tight square, which is probably preferrable, but unless you can find an OEM cable of similar length, the glue-on end is the only option. UNLESS you get into the replacement industry outside of the autl supplies and get into a speedometer/speedometer cable replacement supplier. Might look in the ads in a Mopar or Chevy enthusiast magazine for these ads. Seems like there is or was a place in MI where the owner originally worked out of his garage, who used to work "in the industry" and makes cables per application (as they all used to be available, not just universal). "Mopar Muscle", "Mopar Action", and "Super Chevy" are where I used to see those ads. Not sure of the pricing, but I heard great reviews of his work.

You might find the correct length for your application in the Chrysler parts book, as it was listed that way in the GM parts books "back when". As noted, you might not get something of the exact length already made-up and ready for installation, but a few inches longer is just fine.

Any cable should come pre-lubed, too. AC-Delco had the old ST-___ speedometer lube. A "lifetime supply" in a tube.

KEY thing to diagnose is why the orig cable failed! PLUS check the speedometer gears are still in good condition and don't need to be replaced. It would be good to put some sort of cover over the adapter plug on the tailshaft housing, but there should not be any active atf pressure to that point, just splash oiling of the gears. IF there is a good bit of oil in the cable housing (atf), there is a simple lip seal inside of the plug that probably needs replacing.

I generally like Rock Auto for their catalog listings. They enable me to see what might be available from them or the local auto supply stores. BUT they are not the ONLY place to get things, as there is a whole 'nuther industry that serves the restoration industry and enthusiasts of such, usually at a bit higher prices. Places which usually advertise only in those targeted publications. Up to and including Hemmings Motor News (or their several monthly magazines now).

Enjoy!
CBODY67
 
I got a speedo cable assy from NAPA. It seems to work OK. Needle jumps around a little at lower speeds. The factory assy comes with a rubber grommet fitted on it for the firewall. With the aftermarket you'll have to slit the existing grommet to slip it over the cable. There's three different speedometer cables for these cars as noted above depending on whether or not you have cruise control.
 
I ended up getting the 80” one locally. There is absolutely NO lubricant on the insert.

So, using the cable lube for my Harley I made sure it is well lubed.

I also got a replacement insert so I can get my original housing/sleeve operational. The quality of the original compared to the new one is night and day with the original one being of much higher quality.

The one on the car is seized inside the housing/sleeve so I’m going to guess lack of lubricant over the decades. Or perhaps it sat for a number of years.

@bronze turbine , perhaps if you lube the cable? I’ve read how the new ones may do that if not sufficiently lubed.
 
I just assumed since I got a complete assy. with the outer tube and the inner cable, that it was pre-lubed. If it wasn't, I think it would have seized by now. I seem to remember the movement being smoother with the original cable though.
 
It seems all the replacement cables are a little long. I think I ordered an 80”, but didn’t like the way it routed because it was kind of long. If I am not mistaken the OEM length is in the parts manual.
Or I found some notes somewhere on the lengths.
 
Non cruise control, Standard cable length w/ housing 63” on Everything (all models) except Chrysler and Imperial in which it was 68” long.
Interesting that the shaft or Cable package was 80” long. And seems universal.
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