6 replies to this topic

[Aridgerunner]

I have a new speedometer cable that I wanted to install before putting the engine back in the car. For some strange reason I decided to make sure the square end fit in the square socket of the drive gear. It will not go in. My old cable, which is functional but ugly, does fit.
I have ordered another new one from a USA supplier son if that too doesn't fit I can easily return it.

Have any of you run into this problem?

Thanks in advance

Bill

[Designer]

Hi,

 

Yes I had this problem and solved it by gently filing each flat of the square end the same amount of times until it fitted into the drive.

File it for a distance slightly longer than the depth it goes into the drive that way you will not end up getting it stuck in the drive.

It was not a speedy process but have not had any problems since I did it about 4 years ago.

 

Paddy

[Spider]

The early gearboxes up to about 84-ish had a 1/8" square. then they went to 3 mm. Sounds like you have a cable for the former and a drive from the latter.

[Aridgerunner]

The engine is an MG Metro and I believe the gearbox is original to that. But then this car is such a mix of parts it's anybody's guess..... Maybe the drive unit was changed at some point in the past. It has green gear on it.

I doubt there is any way to buy the 1/8" square drive cable so I'll have to do as noted and file the end to fit.

Thanks again.

Bill

Edited by Aridgerunner, 30 August 2025 - 10:22 AM.

[Ethel]

If it was a clued up spanner monkey they may well have swapped over the speedo drive gear. MG Mettys had a 3.44 final drive, same as a lot of Minis, but Metro speedos had different turns per mile


https://www.guess-wo.../Tech/ratio.htm

[Aridgerunner]

Oh, she's a back yard special for sure. The final drive was 3.44 but we changed it to 3.2 And it will rolling on 12" wheels with 165-60 tires. So the speedo will be way the heck off. I just want it to work so I can mark on the glass where 70 MPH is.

I have a guy that is going to send me a good used cable and try to make that work. I'll keep ya updated.

Thanks

Edited by Aridgerunner, 30 August 2025 - 04:41 PM.

[Spider]

. It has green gear on it.

 

That's a 3 mm type, likely original.

You should be able to get a cable to suit it without too many issues.