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Technical dashboard control cables

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by goldmountain, May 24, 2026.

  1. goldmountain
    Joined: Jun 12, 2016
    Posts: 4,986

    goldmountain

    As the ***le says. I am looking for a source for dashboard control cables. On previous cars, I would take them off 1964 Valiants because they had a simple push - pull movement and one of them had a rotary switch incorporated for the heater motor and had a black ring at the dash that labeled what they controlled. The knobs were held on with a set screw. Unfortunately, with the p***age of time, these Valiants are getting hard to find. Does anyone know of a suitable aftermarket cable? The cars at the pick-a-part yards are way too new to have any of this kind of hardware and the parts stores have universal cables with a horrible black knob that isn't removeable.
     
  2. ClayMart
    Joined: Oct 26, 2007
    Posts: 8,256

    ClayMart
    Member

    I wonder if some of the marine parts supply houses might have some better looking controls and cable ***emblies? Though I imagine they might be kind of spendy.
     
  3. Paul
    Joined: Aug 29, 2002
    Posts: 17,205

    Paul
    Editor

    I've been looking at vintage tractor or lawn mower throttle/choke push pull cables for my Jubilee Bull Horn and Wolf Whistle..
    still looking
     
  4. vtx1800
    Joined: Oct 4, 2009
    Posts: 1,958

    vtx1800
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    my 62 Ford F100 has a defrost/heater blower switch with a cable that is internal, I looked at the LMC catalog and it appears that later Fords used something similar, the cable on mine only goes to the door to actuate the defrosters. Here is a link to LMC on the later Ford. although it won't be as cheap as a bone yard Valiant:(. https://www.lmctruck.com/fb-1967-heater-fan-switch
     
  5. pprather
    Joined: Jan 10, 2007
    Posts: 9,728

    pprather
    Member

  6. jimmy six
    Joined: Mar 21, 2006
    Posts: 18,036

    jimmy six
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    ^^^^^ great guys. They’ve been helping the land speed community for decades.
     
  7. Jokester
    Joined: Jan 29, 2005
    Posts: 855

    Jokester
    Member

    Inline Tube maybe?
     
  8. V8 Bob
    Joined: Feb 6, 2007
    Posts: 3,204

    V8 Bob
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I've used cables from our local NAPA.
     
  9. Paul
    Joined: Aug 29, 2002
    Posts: 17,205

    Paul
    Editor

    probably not what you had in mind but,
    here's a vintage tractor throttle control push pull cable on the dash of my engine run stand.

    PXL_20250217_002325072.PORTRAIT~2.jpg
     
    SS327 likes this.
  10. coupe man
    Joined: Sep 1, 2007
    Posts: 305

    coupe man
    Member

    I'm using a hood release cable for the heater/defroster operation in my56 f 100.
     
  11. goldmountain
    Joined: Jun 12, 2016
    Posts: 4,986

    goldmountain

    Seems most of these ideas are overkill. These were sort of standard back then. A solid wire incased in a spiral wrap with a loop bent in the end to control the defrost door or whatever. I even have the special tool to form the loop at the end. Trying to help my clueless friend with his '57 Chev truck that he lost all this stuff over the years.
     
  12. V8 Bob
    Joined: Feb 6, 2007
    Posts: 3,204

    V8 Bob
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I removed the knob from most of the cables I've bought. If it won't come off in one piece, then simply destroy it.
     
  13. In_The_Pink
    Joined: Jan 9, 2010
    Posts: 1,041

    In_The_Pink
    Member

    Head over to eBay and search for "control cable" or similar in the Auto Parts section. I found this '61 T-bird fresh air vent control cable and knob, but there are plenty of others to choose from.

    tc1.jpg

    tc2.jpg

    tc4.jpg
     
  14. 51504bat
    Joined: May 22, 2010
    Posts: 6,082

    51504bat
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Get one of these if you find one.

    upload_2026-5-25_16-22-26.jpeg
     
    SS327 likes this.
  15. Hotwyr
    Joined: Apr 20, 2008
    Posts: 228

    Hotwyr
    Member

    Mid year, '63 to '67 Corvette used a push pull cable with a built in heater switch. Also used a def cable. I think these are available through Corvette Central. Also other suppliers I'm sure.
     
  16. ramblin dan
    Joined: Apr 16, 2018
    Posts: 4,322

    ramblin dan

    Used one off an old lawn mower for my wolf whistle and my buddy used an old choke cable for his.
     
  17. K13
    Joined: May 29, 2006
    Posts: 10,010

    K13
    Member

    Have you tried Greggs yet? They are usually my go to for that type of stuff.
     
  18. goldmountain
    Joined: Jun 12, 2016
    Posts: 4,986

    goldmountain

    Thank you for your replies. I will go with the universal cable with the ugly black knob. Upon reviewing the situation, I see that the heater control needs the loops at both ends of the cable and since I have the tool to do this, onto the next missing part.
     
  19. krgdowdall
    Joined: Apr 3, 2015
    Posts: 145

    krgdowdall
    Member
    from Alberta

    That type of cable was used on lawn mowers, Rotor tillers , yard equipment etc.
    I worked at one place that had it on a reel and you purchased it by the foot.
     
  20. ClayMart
    Joined: Oct 26, 2007
    Posts: 8,256

    ClayMart
    Member

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