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By MG Cook - 16 Years Ago
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I have lost the plastic gear that attaches to the speedometer cable, I have tried mirrors , my little finger inside the housing doesn't locate it, it has to be inside the extension housing some where but I can't find it. The guy I bought the car from came over yesterday and thought it would be a snap, he couldn't find it either. I even put a new bag on my shop vac and put over the opening hoping that woukd bring it forward but no luck. My question is, can the plastic gear get into the out put shaft and cause a problem if I drive the car and if not I will order another speedometer gear and go on about my business. Looking at the extension housing cut out there is plenty of room for the gear to be where you couldn't see it. Appreciate your help.
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By carl - 16 Years Ago
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If you took the seal out of the back of the tail shaft would it come out that way,just a thought. Carl
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By MG Cook - 16 Years Ago
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That's a thought but somebody that's knows more than me would have to answer. Thanks for your input.
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By Hoosier Hurricane - 16 Years Ago
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MG: It won't come out the back with the seal out, but a thought just struck me. Maybe you can take the driveshaft out and take a wire and poke it into the back and push it back forward where you can get it out. If it stays in there, it may work its way up to the governor and get beat around by it, and then there may be little pieces of plastic. However, if they worked their way to the oil pan, the screen would keep them from getting sucked into the oil system. There's a good chance it will do no harm. This is an automatic trans, isn't it?
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By MG Cook - 16 Years Ago
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yes , Fordomatic 2 speed. 55 Fairlane
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By LON - 16 Years Ago
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Same thing happened to me about 4 or 5 years ago .. When I changed from FOM to FMX .Speedo didn't want to work ,so I climbed under the car and removed cable from auto .Removed and replaced cable a few times to make sure everything was fitting OK . The last time I pulled cable there was no plastic gear ?? That's easy, I'll just put my little finger in the hole and grab it ...ooops ??? Must have lost the clip that holds the plastic gear on the cable .To this day ,thats where they be . Lynne still complains that the speedo doesn't work . I have got used to driving without one .I will fix the speedo ,right after I install the MSD ???? Lon
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By oldcarmark - 16 Years Ago
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Ford changed to the design that uses a retainer clip to hold gear onto cable in 1957.Now we know why.I did not think the gear could just disappear altogether if it fell off the cable.Now I feel a little lucky I haven't lost mine-yet.MG- just a suggestion.If you can fit a small diameter hose that will fit into the hole in the transmission onto the end of your shop vac you may be able to pickup the gear.Doesn't need to be pretty mavbe duct tape the small hose onto the big one so all vacuum goes through the small hose.Push it in and move around inside the tranny case.Its there somewhere.
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By oldcarmark - 16 Years Ago
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The original cable from 49-56 had no clip.The later 57-up had the clip.The end that goes into transmission was completely different from the 49-56 style.C-4 trans is well after 56.The cable end that goes on speedo head is the same thread for many years until Ford went to the type that clips onto speedo head instead of threads.
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By MG Cook - 16 Years Ago
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Thanks guys for the input, a mechanic on expert.com told me he had a 55 and lost 2 gears in his transmission and put 200k miles on it but I may try the hose on the vac , gotta be a way. My gear came out partially out with my cable, I grabbed a rag to wipe the fluid off the end of the cable and hit the gear and haven't seen it since.
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By MG Cook - 16 Years Ago
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very similar, mine has an o ring on the top of taper fitting that holds the plastic gear but I didn't see any type of clip that held the gear on.
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By oldcarmark - 16 Years Ago
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That cable in the pic is 49-56 style like my new one.On mine the clip is apparently missing also because the gear falls off when you pull cable out.I guess I spoke too soon about there not being a clip for which I apologize.Now when I look in my 55-56 parts book it does not list the clip anywhere.Does anyone have a pic of the clip?That cable in the pic is not being used on the C-4 I assume?
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By MG Cook - 16 Years Ago
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Dennis Carpenter had 4 gears listed for the speedometer, I bought a 20 and a 22 tooth gear and installed the 20 tooth, speedometer still bouncing so I'll heed the advice given and replace the cable except I will be more careful this time when disconnecting the cable so I don't lose a gear but how do you determine which gear is correct?, I'm going to do a stop watch speed test on the interstae this week using the mile markers to see where I'm at now on accuracy. How do you determine the ratio?
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By aussiebill - 16 Years Ago
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Hi, i have noticed in my 56 sunliner, the FOM had coarse output splines and has the tapered speedo cable end just like a manual trans car, the difference i have noticed is that the original FOM gear had tiny circlip like wire spring that when the gear was pushed into cable popped out into groove inside cable end to keep it falling out, as opposed to same looking Manual trans speedo gear which the end sits up against lump inside trans housing to keep it in place, looks exactly the same but no circlip and hence can work its way out of cable end, i know this because i have been through what original post described. hope this helps. regards, aussie bill.
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By oldcarmark - 16 Years Ago
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Hello MG! If you are planning to buy a complete cable you might have a small problem getting one.The ones that Carpenter etc sell are for 3-speed manual transmission.About 70 inches long.The one for automatic and overdrive are only 60 inch long which no one seems to have available.I purchased one off Ebay for a 54 Ford with auto because it was 62 long and I was able to use it being only 2 longer than stock.I just purchased another NORS correct cable on Ebay for $17.50 including mailing to Canada.Waiting for it but it does have the expanded end where it goes onto speedo head and will accept the little rubber joiner insert.The 54 cable works but does not have the special end where it goes onto the head.The only cables with the correct end to go into transmission were used from 49-56 when the transmission end was changed in 57.There is a seller on Ebay who has a 2-piece cable with the correct transmission end on it and can make the cable whatever length you want.If I can find his listing I will let you know.Mg if you look at ebay item 250427949236.This is the fellow I mentioned who did have the 2 piece cable.If you don't find it elsewhere you might contact him.61 inch overall cable casing is what you need for automatic.
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By MG Cook - 16 Years Ago
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thanks , you are very helpful.
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By MG Cook - 16 Years Ago
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Thanks to the person that sent me the private message about the speedometer cable for auction on ebay, I was the winning bidder.
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By texasmark1 - 16 Years Ago
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I've lost my plastic gear as well... well, it came off just now when I was removing the cable from the trans (manual, '57, non-overdrive)... was wondering if I could get to it by removing the top cover plate... without taking the trans out of the car... any takers? thanks,Mark
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By oldcarmark - 16 Years Ago
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Mark,The 57 up style cable definetely has a clip to hold gear onto cable.When you get the gear back make sure you get a clip for it!
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By Hoosier Hurricane - 16 Years Ago
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Mark: You can't access the tail housing from the top cover. There's a wall between the main case and the tail housing.
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By texasmark1 - 16 Years Ago
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yep... believe I'm going to get in the "drive it and grind it up" line then see about putting in a new gear again! Mark
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By Hoosier Hurricane - 16 Years Ago
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Mark: Actually, your trans doesn't have anything in there to grind it up. Automatics have a governor spinning around that would grind it up.
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By texasmark1 - 16 Years Ago
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ah, shucks!! so, you're saying I can only grind 1st. gear?? "synchros...? We don't need no stinkin' synchros...!!
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By Ol'ford nut - 16 Years Ago
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I have a 62 or 63 Ford 4 speed in my 56 Fairlane. Speedometer cable has never had a gear on the end. In reading over this post I see that till 56 there was no clip and after there was. NOW MY QUESTION- With the 56 cable and a 62-63 4 speed what do I need? My cable is new, but what gear will work?
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By Ol'ford nut - 16 Years Ago
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Speedometer is last gauge I need working so if you have any idea let me know. I'm sure someone else has put a 4 speed in their car and done this. If I use a 56 gear will it work or fall off, will a later gear fit on my 56 cable and if it even fits do I use a clip if that will fit.
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By Hoosier Hurricane - 16 Years Ago
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The later gear won't fit the '56 housing. You'll probably end up with a '57 cable with the appropriate gear determined by your rear end ratio and tire size.
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By Ol'ford nut - 16 Years Ago
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I was afraid of that! Anybody need a new 56 speedometer cable and housing!? Never used.
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