[DeTomaso] Darn speedo cable

[MikeLDrew at aol.com]

In a message dated 7/25/11 11 37 13, charlesmccall at gmail.com writes:


> Anyone had any similar problems? Any tricks of the trade? Is it possible
> that the threaded tube on the back of the speedometer can rotate?
> 

I don't think so.   I just went through this exercise a few months ago.   
Changing the speedo cable is a relatively painful exercise with the 
early-style two-pod dashboard, and is a nightmare with the later dashboards like ours 
unless you know the trick.

The problem is that there is structure immediately behind the speedometer, 
which forces the speedo cable into a weird angle.   Resting against the 
underside of the structure, it would impact the speedo about a half an inch 
below the threaded boss where it needs to go.   When installed, it rides under 
the structure, then bends upwards and immediately downwards again to enter 
the back of the gauge.   It's virtually impossible to manipulate the cable 
with the gauge in place to get it to line up perfectly, and it is completely 
intolorant of the slightest misalignment.

I finally hit upon the solution after about five minutes of struggling like 
you were.   I simply unscrewed the two finger-nuts which hold the U-shaped 
clamp which holds the speedometer in the dashboard, then slid the speedo out 
of the dash about halfway.   This then gave me enough freedom of movement 
to tilt the face of the speedo up, which in turn angles the back of it down, 
neatly lining up with the speedo cable.   Then it's a snap to thread the 
cable on, good and tight.   Then reinstall the speedo in the dash, and you're 
done!

Oh, I should qualify that--I didn't actually install the cable.   Lori is 
right-sized for the task, and loves working on Panteras, so I installed her 
in the appropriate position to manipulate the cable.   I knelt on the ground 
outside the car, and reached in with my left hand to unscrew the two nuts 
and manipulate the speedometer while she threaded the cable on, as seen here:

http://www.poca.com/index.php/gallery/?g2_itemId=32853

So Charlie, this looks like a job you and Amaya can tackle together with no 
problem! :>)

Mike (sorry you worked so hard for so long before asking for the easy way!)