How to Replace a Speedometer Cable on a 1965 Corvette
The Chevrolet Corvette was America's first true sports car, and its light weight and powerful engine made it a formidable foe on the race track. Whereas most American vehicle's manufactured in the 1960s used speedometers which read to only 80 or 120 mph, the 1965 Corvette used a speedometer which read up to 160 mph. Unfortunately, the nylon teeth of the 1965 Corvette's speedometer cable were prone to either breaking or wearing down. When either occurs, the cable must be replaced.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Disconnect the negative battery cable from the battery to avoid the risk of electrical shocks. The battery cable attaches to the battery with a single clamp. At the end of the clamp is a bolt secured with a nut. Loosen the nut with a wrench, then pull the cable off of the battery.
-
2
Place a clean rag on top of the steering column to prevent scratching the column when the instrument panel is pulled out of the dashboard. Remove the five retaining screws located around the circumference of the instrument panel with a Phillips-head screwdriver, then pull the instrument panel straight out of the dash and allow the instrument panel to rest on top of the steering column.
-
-
3
Locate and disconnect the speedometer cable from the speedometer. The speedometer cable is a black cable on the left side of the instrument panel. The cable screws directly into the back of the speedometer. Insert an open-end wrench through the bottom of the instrument panel from the left side. Grasp the nut on the end of the speedometer cable with the wrench, then turn the nut counterclockwise until the cable disconnects from the speedometer.
-
4
Pull the speedometer cable away from the instrument cable from underneath the dashboard, just above the pedals, then feed the cable through the firewall next to the pedals.
-
5
Disconnect the speedometer cable from the transmission. The opposite end of the speedometer cable connects to the driver's side of the transmission with an integral nut. Turn the nut counterclockwise with an open-end wrench until loose, then pull the cable away from the transmission to remove it.
-
6
Connect the smaller end of the replacement speedometer cable to the transmission by first inserting the tip of the cable into the transmission, then by turning the nut at the end of the cable clockwise with an open-end wrench. Feed the opposite end of the cable into the engine compartment and through the hole in the firewall which leads to the interior of the car.
-
7
Feed the speedometer cable from the firewall to the back of the instrument panel from underneath the dashboard. Insert the tip of the cable into the back of the speedometer, then tighten the nut at the end of the cable with an open-end wrench until the nut is tight. Press the instrument panel against the dashboard, then install and tighten each of the instrument panel's five retaining screws with a Phillips-head screwdriver to complete the replacement process.
-
1
