1950 speedo cable question

[butch2000]

Hello , a buddy and I are working on his 50 , it on a S10 chassis , with a 700 r4 trans , we change it to the mechanical speedo on the tail stock , does anyone know if there is a speedo cable that will to the 50 speedo in the dash ? thanks

[OrrieG]

Reach? Fit? think you dropped a word. Each end should be the same as the square drive cable did not change over time. On mid 70's 4WD trucks they have a short extension because the speedo drive is moved back to the transfer case. That is what I used to mate to my stock speedo cable. Here is a pic.

[butch2000]

I may have sorry , was in a hurry this morning , we don't have anything for a cable right now as a reference point , so should I order a cable for a early 70's truck ? that will work ?

[OrrieG]

I would use a piece of flexible wire to get an approximate length then do a search for "chevy speedometer cable length". A number of threads come up that have lengths for different stock applications. Get one that will work with out binding. Make sure you lube the cable full length (inner shaft just pulls out) with Lubriplate so it rotates freely.

http://www.trifive.com/forums/archiv...p/t-69245.html

69" seems to be the consensus:

http://www.classicchevy.com/chevy-sp...1955-1957.html

[mr48chev]

Find out what the length of a stock 1950 cable is and figure out how much more cable you need to get back to the spot where the speedometer drive is on the trans.

This one is 70 inches so you need at least 70 inches and I think not more than 80.
http://www.bowtiebits.com/store/stor...Category_ID=26

I'd still follow OrrieG's suggestion and take a piece of wire (electrical house wire would work great or maybe a piece of old skinny plastic garden hose) and route it from the back of the speedometer through the firewall and down to the trans in the route you figure is a smooth route for the speedometer cable. Measure that and then head to Napa or another full service parts house with that measurement. This isn't really a "special rare part made out of unobtainium" It's just a common over the counter at the local parts house part.

This is the one that fits my 71 GMC and it should work on the 50. http://www.autozone.com/drivetrain/s...193_7543_1277/

[Donaldo]

I also converted to the mechanical drive cable, stock '51 cable reaches from the dash to the 700r4 just fine here.

[butch2000]

Thanks for all the feedback , never assumed it was unobtainable , just trying to not have to order a bunch of mistakes , thanks all ! very helpful .

[mr48chev]

I'm a firm believer in try to buy local first then find out who online has the best product for the best price including shipping and handling. On Hard parts or replacement parts Rock Auto usually has first rate brands and or item plus several offerings in many cases.

My comment was primarily because we do have guys who think that because the trucks are old you have to go through a specialty house and pay a premium for many common replacement parts that you can walk into a local parts house and buy over the counter for a fair price. Always price shop though.