speedometer cable help

[TulsaSpider]

Ok Mine came without a speedo cable. My replacement from IAP came in so here's my issues...
1st I took loose the brake fluid res as suggested in a previous post, but I found no hole. I see the clutch and accelerator so where is the darn thing!!!
2nd where the speedo looks like it attaches to the rear of the tranny on the passenger side there are 3 large wires coming off of it.... so I guess this means I have a later tranny?????? ugh! any hope for getting my speedo working???
discouraged
Clark

[TulsaSpider]

I tried to take some pics of the tranny where I think the connection is supposed to be... didn't come out great but here goes

and


Upon further examination it seems that there is some kind of a plate that has been added on to the firewall behind the brake fluid res, the clutch cable comes through this, is this where the opening for the speedo is supposed to be? Looks like maybe there was a problem with the clutch cable pulling through the firewall perhaps
here's a pic

Thanks for any info and suggestions....
Clark

[So Cal Mark]

the cable attaches to the drivers' side of the tranny. There is a 90 degree angle connector, and the lower ends of the cables are all the same. It's the upper end that differs between early and late speedos

[TulsaSpider]

Ok Mark well that's good to hear!! I'll have to check it out later in the week when the weather clears again. So what are the wires for? The backup lights perhaps??

What about the firewall?? Where does the speedo cable come out then?
Clark

[So Cal Mark]

the switch in your pic is the reverse light switch. Cable goes through the firewall below and inboard of the clutch cable

[mdrburchette]

The speedo cable on the early models were routed to the tranny through a hole on the right side of the transmission tunnel. I don't know when they changed it to route through the firewall but I just pulled the cable out of this 72 project car last week and I can tell you it would be a bear to do with the car in one piece!

[mbouse]

on the '78 the cable goes thru the firewall right behind where the speedo is mounted in the dash, if you can visualize that picture.

the hole in the firewall is about the size of a quarter, and the dang brake booster is really in the way to get a good look at the site. i believe the hole is directly above the booster. Maybe the P.O. left the grommet in the hole when he yanked the cable? Maybe he filled the hole with a buncha wires and crap?

and, as Mark said, the tranny connection is on the driver's side. I generally jack up one wheel and support with a jack stand to get to this connection. look mid-way back on the tranny housing for the 90° adapter coming out of the side of the tranny. It should be pointing to the front of the car.

[TulsaSpider]

Ok guys I went out an looked again just now. Look **carefully** at the last photo I posted of where the clutch cable comes through the firewall. Do you see the 1/4"steel plate?? I looked through the dash side with a powerful light and as I suspected the sheetmetal is torn at where the clutch cable comes through. That must have been a bad day!! While this is a bit bizzare on how this could happen... I am now positive that there is a 1/4" reinforcing metal plate that was added on the outside just above the booster which covers the hole where the speedo goes. I looked around the area and saw no real way to make another hole there. I think I will try just inboard of there just below the wiring harness. This will prolly add just a bit to the travel of the cable but I doubt it would make it bind. How much play in the cable do I have as far as length? Does anyone else have a better suggestion??
Blocked in Tulsa!

[racydave]

There is not alot of slack in the cable. Try to install it on the speedo first, then re-install the speedo before the attaching the trans fitting.

[mbouse]

shooting from the hip, i would offer to attempt drilling a hole under the booster? heck... those cables are dang short.

[rlux4]

Careful with your syntax, Mike. You just offered to drill the hole for Clark!
Ron

[TulsaSpider]

I'll take another look. There is so much hardware and such down there. How hard is it to remove the inner fender on these? and would removing it help with getting a drill in that mess from the firewall side. The dash side looks pretty difficult.

[mbouse]

i would offer the suggestion that YOU drill the hole. I don't have a drill bit long enough to reach Oklahoma from here.

are you talking about the sheet metal inner fender? no can do. that is not removable w/out destroying the car

are you talking about the plastic fender liner? easy-peasy. a couple of screws and it is out...hopefully for good.

[TulsaSpider]

Ok thanks for the info Mike!

[So Cal Mark]

I took some firewall pix this morning that show locations. I'll post them tonight when I get home