Speedometer cable question

phat46 · July 19, 2008, 12:22:58 PM

I am trying to get a speedo cable for my C-6 trans in my 46 P.U. The problem is I don't know for sure what year the trans is. It came out of a '78 Ford p.u. but it wasn't the original trans in that truck. I had the trans rebuilt and the builder said it is tough to tell exactly what year a C-6 is, but the internals are pretty much the same. (him talking) At the local NAPA we looked in their catalog and it seems there are many choices depending on vehicle year and type. The trans I have is a push in type for the cable with an external holddown clamp on it, the other end of the cable needs to be threaded for the speedo. Anyone ever have this type of problem before or does anyone know if there's a generic cable for this trans?

Crosley.In.AZ · July 19, 2008, 01:21:27 PM

you may know this;

the Ford cable for the C6 trans has the plastic gear on the end of the cable insert. The out put shaft has the teeth cut into the shaft

A speed-O shop is the place to start looking to get a cable made to order. On that note , I do not know if the needed cable end is available easily.

The plastic speed-O gear was swappable to correct for some error in the speed-O.

The common 2 wheel drive C6 trans used the same size speed-O cable insert . The bolt on yoke C6 used a different speed-O cable setup.

phat46 · July 19, 2008, 02:51:53 PM

Quote from: "Crosley"you may know this;

the Ford cable for the C6 trans has the plastic gear on the end of the cable insert. The out put shaft has the teeth cut into the shaft

A speed-O shop is the place to start looking to get a cable made to order. On that note , I do not know if the needed cable end is available easily.

The plastic speed-O gear was swappable to correct for some error in the speed-O.

The common 2 wheel drive C6 trans used the same size speed-O cable insert . The bolt on yoke C6 used a different speed-O cable setup.

Thanks Cros. Do you know if all the C-6 trans took the same type of cable? The NAPA book showed several numbers for different years or models. I think some were simply different lengths. I guess what I need to know is if there is different types of cable ends that go into the C-6 or if they all took the same type of cable.

wayne petty · July 19, 2008, 03:22:30 PM

try looking up at http://www.dormanproducts.com item# 03181

1981-60 Ford Motor Corporation (Ford, Ford Truck, Lincoln, & Mercury)
Length:    66.000
End One:    1,676.40
End Two:   5/8-18" Round Nut
Type:   Plug Type
Brand:   Dorman - TECHOICE

or this one that is 82 inches long..
https://www.dormanproducts.com/cgi-bin/vm91corp30r/item-dtl.w?sid=0x01956858&item=03183&icrid=&clt=hwrap1&vsrch_str=&vsrch_brand=all&vsrch_cat=Speedometer,Speedometer%20Cables&st_amount=0&end_amount=999999999.99&start=20&vfrom=&prev=yes&vnext=yes&category_list=1508:332:0

these will fit if the speedo thread is 5/8"

stick an open end wrench over the threads on the back of the speedo... see if it is 5/8" ... if it 9/16 like i remember... you may need a custom cable... and those are easy to get also.... almost any speedo shop can put one together in minutes.... they have the bulk casing and ends... and rolls and rolls of core... if you have too ... you can krimp your own core in a v shaped groove filed into some steel scrao... and used with a hammer to form the square end on a universal core... cutting and splicing the casing from 2 pieces to make it the right length until you can get one made up....

Crosley.In.AZ · July 19, 2008, 05:39:10 PM

ford speed-O cable ends. these have been CUT off the cable

these are the dirt common designs.

Notice the gears are different design style. the gears will interchange, the lengths are the same.

phat46 · July 19, 2008, 06:19:21 PM

Quote from: "Crosley"ford speed-O cable ends. these have been CUT off the cable

these are the dirt common designs.

Notice the gears are different design style. the gears will interchange, the lengths are the same.

Got it....and I even found an online source for them..$20! thanks

enjenjo · July 19, 2008, 10:22:22 PM

I had a C6 out of a 76 F350 Ford van in my 55 Ford car. It had a slug in the trans like a GM car with a screw on cable.

phat46 · July 19, 2008, 11:07:52 PM

Quote from: "enjenjo"I had a C6 out of a 76 F350 Ford van in my 55 Ford car. It had a slug in the trans like a GM car with a screw on cable.

Mine doesn't screw onto the trans, it has the hold down, like a miniature distributor hold down to keep the cable in the trans. NAPA had too many choices, I found one online that fits 67-72 C-6. I was told by the guy i bought the donor truck from that it was a "about" a '70 and it's behind a 429 with DOVE heads so I think this one will work. [/i]

enjenjo · July 19, 2008, 11:13:02 PM

Quote from: "phat46"
Quote from: "enjenjo"I had a C6 out of a 76 F350 Ford van in my 55 Ford car. It had a slug in the trans like a GM car with a screw on cable.

Mine doesn't screw onto the trans, it has the hold down, like a miniature distributor hold down to keep the cable in the trans. NAPA had too many choices, I found one online that fits 67-72 C-6. I was told by the guy i bought the donor truck from that it was a "about" a '70 and it's behind a 429 with DOVE heads so I think this one will work. [/i]

This one had a slug that fit in the trans as you describe, with threads on the outside for a screw on cable. For that matter, If you have the end that fits your trans, you can make the adapter for a screw on cable out of a 3/4" bolt, and silver solder it to the end you have to use a screw on cable.

wayne petty · July 20, 2008, 01:29:11 AM

Quote from: "phat46"I am trying to get a speedo cable for my C-6 trans in my 46 P.U.
. The trans I have is a push in type for the cable with an external holddown clamp on it,

the other end of the cable needs to be threaded for the speedo.

i dont understand the confusion.... except... what size is the thread on the back of the speedo head.....

dorman shows 3 cables that push into the tranny... with 5/8-18 threads in the retaining nut for the speedo head end...

if you want to get the optional plug to convert to conventional 7/8 inch threaded ends for the transmission end... that is a possibility...

but what size are the threads on the back of the speedo head... take a 5/8" open end wrench and with the original cable disconnected... see if the 5/8' open end wrench fits over the threads...

that cable comes in 60" 66" and 82" lengths.... 03182, 03181, 03183 shortest to longest...

phat46 · July 20, 2008, 02:59:32 PM

Quote from: "wayne petty"
Quote from: "phat46"I am trying to get a speedo cable for my C-6 trans in my 46 P.U.
. The trans I have is a push in type for the cable with an external holddown clamp on it,

the other end of the cable needs to be threaded for the speedo.

i dont understand the confusion.... except... what size is the thread on the back of the speedo head.....

dorman shows 3 cables that push into the tranny... with 5/8-18 threads in the retaining nut for the speedo head end...

if you want to get the optional plug to convert to conventional 7/8 inch threaded ends for the transmission end... that is a possibility...

but what size are the threads on the back of the speedo head... take a 5/8" open end wrench and with the original cable disconnected... see if the 5/8' open end wrench fits over the threads...

that cable comes in 60" 66" and 82" lengths.... 03182, 03181, 03183 shortest to longest...

No confusion now Wayne, the question i had was with the trans end of the cable, The NAPA book showed quite a few different cables for the C-6. Some were even threaded on the trans end like Frank had mentioned. The one i found online should be fine, I had known all along the the Speedo end was the 5/8" threaded end, my concern was with the trans end of the cable.