Topic: Speedo Cable replacement
in Forum: C3 Interior
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My speedometer in my '76 quit the other day for the third (and I think final) time. Based on past experience, I'm guessing it's the cable this time since the last time I had issues, I just moved the cable in and out on the firewall.
My question: Just how hard is it to change the speedo cable? Taking out the speedo gauge, or at least getting to the back of it doesn't look fun.
Thanks
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Lifetime MemberIndianapolis, IN - USA
Joined: 9/3/2006
Posts: 2429
Vette(s): Silver 1974 Convertible - L82 4 speed
Low miles (was only 8,900 when I bought it in March 2006) - Now 54K miles. Original owner bought it as an investment for son's college expenses.
2008 Jetstream Blue Convertible
I guess it really depends on how handy you are with tools and how much patience you have. I replaced my speedo earlier this year and it took me two days, and I almost gave up more than once.
I just don't have much patience for projects like that.
In reality, the hardest part is getting the dashboard to pull out far enough to be able to reach everything to get it all out. Once I figured out I could disconnect the tach cable (mine is mechanical on the 74, not sure about yours on the 76), things got easier.
Also, I had bought a whole dash piece on e-bay to get a replacement speedo (that I had reconditioned and set to the correct mileage), so I could really see how things went together. I'm a very visual person, so that really helped me.
If you're just changing the cable, that could be significantly easier. There is a clip on the back of the speedo that holds the cable in place. When you pull on it, the cable should come out easily. When you push the new one in place, it should lock there.
Hope all this helps!
I wanted a Corvette my whole life, but I never dreamed of all the wonderful people I would meet because of it!
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I'm a visual person too, and I wish I could find some pictures of how to take apart the dash. I hate to just start removing screws and using pure brute force, but my tach is electrical so hopefully it shouldn't be too bad.
Oh well, I have a show to go to this weekend so I'm not going to start it anytime soon. I guess I'll have to take my GPS to monitor my speed!
Lifetime MemberIndianapolis, IN - USA
Joined: 9/3/2006
Posts: 2429
Vette(s): Silver 1974 Convertible - L82 4 speed
Low miles (was only 8,900 when I bought it in March 2006) - Now 54K miles. Original owner bought it as an investment for son's college expenses.
2008 Jetstream Blue Convertible
Ok, I found the link to the on-line article. You'll need to get a login, but once you do, follow this link... http://www.corvettemagazine.com/content/view/52/
If for some reason the link won't get you there, once you're logged in, follow the path - Technical Articles, 68-82 Articles, Interior, and it's the next to the last article. You really do need to take the whole dash apart - it's the only way...
I wanted a Corvette my whole life, but I never dreamed of all the wonderful people I would meet because of it!
Lifetime MemberManteca, CA - USA
Joined: 11/20/2005
Posts: 3623
Vette(s): 1978,two tone,Metalic Rootbeer & gold
1975 L48 4 speed
That even sounded difficult to me. While I don't mean to discount the degree of difficulty, the 78-82 should be similar. Under the steering column there are screws to remove the plastic shell exposing the 2 bolts that once removed will allow the column to relax about an inch or 2 so you can remove the speedo /tach housing. There is sufficient slack in the wires but the resistance you feel when pulling it out is the speedo cable dragging on the firewall grommet. If you locate the cablehousing under the hood, going thru' the firewall you can break loose any silicone sealant by pushing the cable in and giving the speedo housing some slack. You could then proceed as discribed in the previous post. One of the most difficult proceeedures in this opperation seemed to me to be restarting the 2 bolts that support the column. Patience is needed here. Good luck.
Jimmy B.
Just can't wait to get on the road again. 
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in Forum: C3 Interior
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