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Technical Speedo cable length

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Timothy Murphy, Apr 14, 2025.

  1. Timothy Murphy
    Joined: May 8, 2022
    Posts: 76

    Timothy Murphy
    Member

    What speedo cable length have you used on a ‘32 Ford roadster to a Chevy (Muncie) tranny with the connection on the passenger side. Thanks
     
  2. @e1956v , have you got an educated guess on a length?
     
  3. I'd probably do the "two coat hanger trick".
    Mostly straighten the coat hangers. Route one from the fitting on the back of the speedo to where you want to pass through the firewall or floorboard. Then route the other coat hanger up from the speedo fitting on the trans to where you plan to pass through the firewall/floorboard and mark or cut off any overlap. Measure the total length.
    Plan for gentle curves and a couple of clips to hold and hide the cable as well as possible.
    You got this. I'm betting you can do it the first time, most of the time. :)
     
    Timothy Murphy likes this.
  4. e1956v
    Joined: Sep 29, 2009
    Posts: 2,546

    e1956v
    Alliance Vendor

    On special order it’s always better to figure out your routing and measure. In the long run it saves time and money.
     
  5. Timothy Murphy
    Joined: May 8, 2022
    Posts: 76

    Timothy Murphy
    Member

    I don’t have the body on yet so no educated guess. Hoping to hear what others have used
     
  6. nochop
    Joined: Nov 13, 2005
    Posts: 4,483

    nochop
    Member
    from norcal

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  7. RockyMtnWay
    Joined: Jan 6, 2015
    Posts: 568

    RockyMtnWay
    Member

    I can tell what’s probably too short. :p
    Had a 48” one on my 5W with a Saginaw 4 speed, but after I updated the car to steel floors and a TKO, I needed a much longer one (completely different routing that I liked more). The original 48” one was already a smidge shorter than I would have liked as it was too visible when I was seated in car.
    Just about to do a cable for my current 32 roadster project. Have the floor/firewall/dash routing figured out but cannot remember for sure what length cable I bought (pretty sure it was 63”). BUT, I also bought a couple of the fittings so I can shorten if need be.
    Suggest following above advice if you are not comfortable following a similar path and probably needing to shorten one.
    Make sure you know where you are putting speedo and what routing you want first. :cool:
    *** NOTE: You can buy pre-made cables for $10-$20 from summit, so if you mess up, take comfort in the fact you will probably make some much more expensive booboos when building a pre-war hot rod. I know I have. :D:D:D .
     
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  8. nochop
    Joined: Nov 13, 2005
    Posts: 4,483

    nochop
    Member
    from norcal

    You bet!! Couple more weeks and I’ll get mine up and running
     
  9. 1971BB427
    Joined: Mar 6, 2010
    Posts: 9,661

    1971BB427
    Member
    from Oregon

    Probably too soon to start thinking about speedometer cable length. I'd at least want the body on the chassis to get an estimate of routing and final length.
     
    Timothy Murphy likes this.

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