The Ford Barn

Alberta50fordor · 02-25-2024, 10:36 PM

Has anyone had any issues with speedometer cables with the 49-51 wagons? it was missing in the woodie so i ordered one from shoebox central -A9A-17260 they only list the one and they didn't specify it not fitting the wagons, it seems its almost a foot too short

tubman · 02-25-2024, 11:27 PM

When I think about it, I don't see why a station wagon would have a different length speedometer cable than any other body style. Are you sure you have it routed correctly?

Alberta50fordor · 02-26-2024, 10:46 AM

I still need to get back underneath the car and double check but from what i remember I had it routed the same as my sedan, i even tried going under the air duct in the engine bay
i haven't compared the two cars yet but is the cowl on the wagon deeper than the cars?

tubman · 02-26-2024, 11:05 AM

I may be wrong here. After thinking about it, I seem to remember that the '51 woodie may have a different dash than the passenger cars. If so, it's a whole new ball game. Sorry for popping of when I shouldn't.

Edit : I did a little research, and Rock Auto lists a "Trim to Fit" Dorman cable that's 113" long.

51504bat · 02-26-2024, 11:18 AM

Ask Rusty at Speedometer Service in Colorado Springs
https://www.speedoservice.com/

Bob C · 02-26-2024, 12:31 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I looked in the parts book and it shows A9A-17260 STD & OD trans
70 3/4" B1A-17260-A auto trans 80 3/4".

Alberta50fordor · 02-26-2024, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubman

I may be wrong here. After thinking about it, I seem to remember that the '51 woodie may have a different dash than the passenger cars. If so, it's a whole new ball game. Sorry for popping of when I shouldn't.

Edit : I did a little research, and Rock Auto lists a "Trim to Fit" Dorman cable that's 113" long.

Don’t be sorry lol, any help is appreciated

wga · 02-26-2024, 08:56 PM

Local speedo shop made a new cable for my stock 49 wagon.

Should be the same length as the sedan - cowl is in the same location. Front clips interchange.
Did it coil during install?

Krylon32 · 02-26-2024, 09:14 PM

Another vote for Rusty.

jplutz · 03-01-2024, 08:27 PM

Greetings,
I also had to replace my cable(the housing was present but the cable was missing). Are they supposed to be greased, or is that only needed by the gear on the trans? My friend says the whole housing requires grease. Is that true? And if so, how do you do it? JPL

paul2748 · 03-01-2024, 08:46 PM

Yes - the whole thing need lubrication. There are specialty greases out there but something like white lithium grease should do it. I have used AGS KABLE-Ease Cable Lubricant that I got from Amazon which seems too work ok.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jplutz

Greetings,
I also had to replace my cable(the housing was present but the cable was missing). Are they supposed to be greased, or is that only needed by the gear on the trans? My friend says the whole housing requires grease. Is that true? And if so, how do you do it? JPL

jplutz · 03-01-2024, 09:03 PM

Thanks, JPL

jplutz · 03-03-2024, 10:03 PM

So the my next question is do they come pregreased? If not, do I, or we have to remove the cable from the housing and force grease thru till it comes out the other end, or is there a tool for this? JPL
(I m trying to not have to uninstall the cable if possible)

tubman · 03-03-2024, 10:49 PM

DO NOT use grease on the speedometer cable. It will attract dirt and gum everything up. There is special speedometer cable lube, which I believe is a combination of graphite and light oil.

I do not understand your hesitancy in "uninstalling" the cable; I have never had a problem pulling the cable out of the housing and getting it back in. It may take a couple of "stabs" and some rotation, but it should go right back in. It will also give you a chance to clean any previous crud off the cable.

02-25-2024, 10:36 PM	#1
Alberta50fordor Member Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: Alberta Canada Posts: 87	51 woodie speedometer cable Has anyone had any issues with speedometer cables with the 49-51 wagons? it was missing in the woodie so i ordered one from shoebox central -A9A-17260 they only list the one and they didn't specify it not fitting the wagons, it seems its almost a foot too short

02-25-2024, 11:27 PM	#2
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,320	Re: 51 woodie speedometer cable When I think about it, I don't see why a station wagon would have a different length speedometer cable than any other body style. Are you sure you have it routed correctly?

02-26-2024, 10:46 AM	#3
Alberta50fordor Member Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: Alberta Canada Posts: 87	Re: 51 woodie speedometer cable I still need to get back underneath the car and double check but from what i remember I had it routed the same as my sedan, i even tried going under the air duct in the engine bay i haven't compared the two cars yet but is the cowl on the wagon deeper than the cars?

02-26-2024, 11:05 AM	#4
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,320	Re: 51 woodie speedometer cable I may be wrong here. After thinking about it, I seem to remember that the '51 woodie may have a different dash than the passenger cars. If so, it's a whole new ball game. Sorry for popping of when I shouldn't. Edit : I did a little research, and Rock Auto lists a "Trim to Fit" Dorman cable that's 113" long. Last edited by tubman; 02-26-2024 at 11:13 AM.

02-26-2024, 11:18 AM	#5
51504bat Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: SoCal-Redlands Posts: 3,024	Re: 51 woodie speedometer cable Ask Rusty at Speedometer Service in Colorado Springs https://www.speedoservice.com/ __________________ Making the simple complicated for over 30 years.

02-26-2024, 12:31 PM	#6
Bob C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: So Cal Posts: 8,755	Re: 51 woodie speedometer cable Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I looked in the parts book and it shows A9A-17260 STD & OD trans 70 3/4" B1A-17260-A auto trans 80 3/4".

02-26-2024, 08:56 PM	#8
wga Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Yorba Linda, CA Posts: 900	Re: 51 woodie speedometer cable Local speedo shop made a new cable for my stock 49 wagon. Should be the same length as the sedan - cowl is in the same location. Front clips interchange. Did it coil during install? __________________ Henry Ford designed the flathead without the aid of a computer.

02-26-2024, 09:14 PM	#9
Krylon32 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 4,489	Re: 51 woodie speedometer cable Another vote for Rusty.

03-01-2024, 08:27 PM	#10
jplutz Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Marlboro, NY Posts: 102	Re: 51 woodie speedometer cable Greetings, I also had to replace my cable(the housing was present but the cable was missing). Are they supposed to be greased, or is that only needed by the gear on the trans? My friend says the whole housing requires grease. Is that true? And if so, how do you do it? JPL

03-01-2024, 09:03 PM	#12
jplutz Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Marlboro, NY Posts: 102	Re: 51 woodie speedometer cable Thanks, JPL

03-03-2024, 10:03 PM	#13
jplutz Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Marlboro, NY Posts: 102	Re: 51 woodie speedometer cable So the my next question is do they come pregreased? If not, do I, or we have to remove the cable from the housing and force grease thru till it comes out the other end, or is there a tool for this? JPL (I m trying to not have to uninstall the cable if possible) Last edited by jplutz; 03-03-2024 at 10:06 PM. Reason: Update note

03-03-2024, 10:49 PM	#14
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,320	Re: 51 woodie speedometer cable DO NOT use grease on the speedometer cable. It will attract dirt and gum everything up. There is special speedometer cable lube, which I believe is a combination of graphite and light oil. I do not understand your hesitancy in "uninstalling" the cable; I have never had a problem pulling the cable out of the housing and getting it back in. It may take a couple of "stabs" and some rotation, but it should go right back in. It will also give you a chance to clean any previous crud off the cable.