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MG MGB Technical - Routing of speedo cable

Hi, Yet another 'odd' question: what is the correct routing for the speedo cable (1970 RHD Roadster with OD) Mine comes up through the gearbox dipstick access hole which I assume is not correct!
TIA Bernie
B Anderson

It should enter from underneath the car and through the engine compartment, then through the buklkhead to the back of the speedometer. RAY
rjm RAY

Thanks Ray. I thought that might be it. Now I need to find the appropriate hole if the PBO has not stuffed something else through it :) I have an alarm fitted which I am trying to remove (It does not work!) and there are wires available in just about every hole. Hey ho! Wonder what I'll find displaced next
B Anderson

Bernie
On UK cars it comes up through a hole to the left of your clutch pedal on top of the lump on the tunnel for the starter motor with the rubber cover on it.
It may not show if the cover has been replaced or it is carpeted.

Ste
Ste Brown

The black cable rising near vertically from bottom right in this picture. The Parts Catalogue indicates that all cars had a right-angle drive at the gearbox to allow the cable to start its journey in line with it. But they are relatively flimsy, neither of my cars have them anymore. You don't need them as long as you use a longer cable to allow for the loop the cable must make before it can start traveling forwards, maybe it was the only way your existing cable could reach the speedo when the drive was removed (assuming you don't have one). There were no less than 14 different cables used over the years, specs and markets.


PaulH Solihull

Thanks all. esp for the picture. I will have to have a look when I can get to it. My garage is very narrow so I have to look when it is out as thats the only time I can get under! Need new house with bigger garage :)
Bernie
B Anderson

Ah! That hole. Makes much more sense now. Can't get under far enough to see if I have the adaptor but looking at the way the cable runs (what I can see of it) i think it must have. I have seen the list of possible cables so I think I might need to measure it first before I try to adjust the route.
B Anderson

Bernie

Because you have to thread it up from underneath I advise you to put some tape under the knearled nut to stop it slipping down and open up the hole slightly as it's a tight squeeze.

Ste
Ste Brown

You can thread it down at least as easily, if not easier. If you are going to have to get under the car to get it up through that hole, you can disconnect the gearbox end easier than from the back of the speedo and thread it downwards (not that I've had to do either). Gearbox end probably mucky though.
PaulH Solihull

Paul

The gearbox end is bigger so wont go down the hole unless you really open up the hole.

Ste
Ste Brown

Luckily I can get behind the dash end as the guages all have only 1 clamp fitted. And I have small hands. I just hope the cable is flexible enough to not have to unclip it down to the gearbox end.
B Anderson

Ste - didn't know that!
PaulH Solihull

Ray, on a LHD 67 like yours, and mine.... where is the bulkhead hole located? Does it go through with the choke cable or have it's own hole?
R Stegs

If memory serves me well, it runs up parallel to the fuel line behind the engine and then goes into the car next to the brake master cylinder. RAY
rjm RAY

LHD 74 from Clausager


PaulH Solihull

This thread was discussed between 29/12/2011 and 08/01/2012

MG MGB Technical index

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