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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Rivergate 5 speed - speedo cable

Can anyone remember whether the Rivergate Datsun conversion WITH the right angle adapter, uses the standard speedo cable?

Thanks.
Jeremy Cogman

I don't remember if the Rivergate one did or not but the Morriservice one used a special one, Spridget on the speedo end and one to match the adapter on the other end. I know that's not much help but...
Martin

I remember being a bit concerned by thoughts of using 'Special Purchase Only' parts when I put my five speed in Lara, quite rightly after several abortive attempts to get my own clutch plate made later on.

I used the nylon threaded speedo connection insert from the A series box with the A series connecting thread cut off.

Then I turned the excess thickness off the back of the base flange until it was thin enough to put in the five speed unit using the FoMoCo circlip and driving my midget speedo cable into the drivers side of the car.

The Midget cable just does what it does, erratic needle work too. :)

Never been a problem getting Midget speedo cables since.
Bill sdgpM

Jeremy

Not got the info you need, but just in case you want a Datsun manual for the gearbox: https://www.gerardsgarage.com/Garage/Tech/datsun5speed.pdf

Cheers
Mike

M Wood

When I fitted a 5 spped box to my TF, Richfields made up a cable with a MG speedo fitting at one end and a Ford one at the other. It was inexpensive.

Jan T
J Targosz

When I did my Ford box conversion I changed the standard cable end to Ford but also had to grind the square end down to IIRC 3mm to fit the Ford gearbox.
David Billington

We had a hybrid cable (Midget speedo at the top, Datsun at the bottom) made by a local instrument repairer, ready to fit and also inexpensive.
But I do like Bill's approach too.
Paul Walbran

Thanks folks, I'll have to pull it out and take look (phnarr!).

Bill, nice to hear from you btw, I also share your concern about custom parts and I bought a spare clutch plate and slave cylinder seal kit when I bought the conversion. The fact that I didn't buy a speedo cable might suggest...

And yes, worst case scenario I know that Speedy Cables or Richfield can make me one up though I also know it will be alot more than the £15 for a standard one.
Jeremy Cogman

David says "When I did my Ford box conversion I changed the standard cable end to Ford but also had to grind the square end down to IIRC 3mm to fit the Ford gearbox."

My mistake here, I did do what I say but also forgot I had to open the Fomoco nylon drive cable fitting end in the gearbox by heating a drive end from a broken Spridget speedo cable with a blow torch and pushing it gently into the plastic squared off end to make it fit the cable, quick trim off and Bobsyer!

Jeremy I do pop in most days but I feel much of my experience is irrelevant here so I keep off most topics.

I intend to be around in a background backwater for quite a while. :)
Bill sdgpM

Bill,

That wouldn't have worked with my gearbox as while the gear was plastic the shaft which took the speedo cable square end was steel.
David Billington

That is a pity David, I have several of the different type/ratio? gears for type 9s

Luckily mine are all (Are? Not even certain where I left those) plastic ended with metal bearing surface sleeves, knowing how Fomoco have always ordered spares from various suppliers I just got lucky.
Bill sdgpM

The cable with my datsun box has the datsun end at the gearbox right angle adapter side and the smiths square end which fits into the back of the speedo. Having said that, the right angle drive is such a faff to fit and the plastic cog in the gearbox end is as soft as butter and mine stripped two of them. So much so that I've done without the original speedo and now use the GPS speedo from Bugeyeguy in the USA.
G Lazarus

Thanks Gary, as it turns out the cable is fine it's the right angle drive that has managed to unscrew itself from the box. I spent half an hour of hand scraping trying to get it back on last night with no luck. I'll try again today.

Until the box next comes out I might content myself with one of the GPS ones from ebay for £20.
Jeremy Cogman

And it's back on after much fiddling about and the assistance of my 8yo son who has smaller hands than me.
Jeremy Cogman

This thread was discussed between 23/08/2021 and 28/08/2021

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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