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MG MGA - Speedo Cable RHD

I am a bit confused (not difficult!!) What is the route for a RHD speedo cable. The new cable is some 5ft 3in long, and I seem to have about 2 ft left over!!!

Colin
Colin Parkinson

Colin, You may be using the wrong hole in the firewall. It should go through the hole just above the oil gauge capillary hole and next to the large hole for the thermometer capillary on the extreme left (looking from the front) Mike
m.j. moore

See here for bulkhead holes: http://www.angelfire.com/amiga/mga/Bulkhead_Deluxe.jpg

Steve
Steve Gyles

Thanks for that.

Steve, surely that is for LHD? Hole No 22?

mj which hole do you think it should be? Please see Steve's pic.Do you mean hole 2?
If I use hole 2 it really does seem far too long!

Colin
Colin Parkinson

Colin

If you look down at the bottom of the graphic it states hole number 2 for RHD.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Dohh!! Must get new glasses!!

Anyway, it still seems far too long!

I think I will try a shorter one from a B

Colin
Colin Parkinson

Coilin, are you sure it's for an "A"? Mine fitted inch perfect. Assume you have an original type "A" g/box...
Pete
Pete Tipping

Colin/Pete

My cables are sitting redundant in the garage as I have an 1800 and 5-speed box. I have just measured them. One cable measures 63+- inches ( I presume its the speedo), the other measures 49+- inches (Tacho).

Steve

Steve Gyles

Colin, Your cable length (63") is right and hole 2 is the one. If you look at Clausager page 54/55 you see the grey speedo cable coming from behind the LHS of the master cylinder and keeping far over to the LHS before heading downwards. Mike
m.j. moore

Mike, thanks I will have another look tomorrow

Colin

Colin Parkinson

Had another look - unfortunately have already used hole 2, so will probably use hole 7 as not using a heater, with a shorter B cable

Colin
Colin Parkinson

Colin

If you use a shorter cable you might be running the risk of too small a radius on the cable, causing premature wear and failure.

Steve
Steve Gyles

I have fitted a 1950 'B' engine & overdrive 'B' gearbox to my 'A' race car, which will finally be out this year, and I need to fit a speedo cable to the original 'A' speedometer.

What have others with this combination fitted - 'A' or 'B'speedo cable & have you retained the original cable route?

Many thanks.

Maurice
M. Standish

Steve, I have fitted a GSD 315 which is 57 ins, and used hole 7. It was one I had in stock, and seems OK.

This is on a race car, I am not worried about premature wear!

Well not on the speedo cable anyway!!!

Colin
Colin Parkinson

I just test drove my ZA with it's new cable and the da*ned thing broke within the first 1/4 mile.
When trying to figure out what happened I remembered hearing years ago that due to the way the cable is wound they can only spin one direction.(and self-destruct in the other direction) Is that correct? I am wondering if the brass collar had been pressed onto the wrong end of the cable...assuning I was correct in having the collar at the head end of the cable??
I am really not looking forward to trying to get the cable nut off of the transmission again as my exhaust is tucked up very nicely and there is not enough room up there for my big meathooks!
Other than that the car is running great!

sigh*
Rich
Rich McKIe

It doesn't make any difference which end is which. It still turns anti-clockise (lookiing at the input end), and still takes torque in the came direction regardless.
Barney Gaylord

I have had problems with replacement cables bought from the suppliers of MGA parts. (unnamed). I then went to a local speedometer shop and had one made using the threaded fittings off of the ends of my old cable. It is working great, no problems in 14,000 miles. I would encourage you to have one made locally, rather than order from the usual sources.
Ed Bell

This thread was discussed between 13/01/2007 and 22/01/2007

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This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGA BBS is active now.