[Alfa_Rover]

After reading numerous threads on this subject I ordered a single cable from Vicks, but it does not fit at the transmission end.

The cable I received is for the 77-81 models. It threads onto the transmission, but the center piece does not tighten up against anything when the outer coupling is fully tightened. Either this cable is not the same as that others have used or my transmission fitting is different.

I don't have the original lower cable to compare to since it was missing when I got the Spider. This was likely due to the fact that the electronic gizmo between the upper and lower cables no longer has threads for the lower cable.

 

[bianchi2]

i have a single cable on my 84 spider..hooked up easy...do you have the thing in backwards? easy to do..if you do hook it up, get a 3 foot leanth of flexable rubber, or vinel tubing and wrap it in it, the plastic it ( the black covering) will not last long, and zip tye it away from the exhaust manifold/downthube..i got mine from i.a.p., but yours should be the same..

 

[Tifosi]

The cable I received is for the 77-81 models. It threads onto the transmission, but the center piece does not tighten up against anything when the outer coupling is fully tightened. Either this cable is not the same as that others have used or my transmission fitting is different

Or it could be the speedo drive gear in the trans is bagged, or you've got dirty threads on the trans and it's not actually seating fully.

You might try taking the cable out of the sleeve and trying to fit the trans end in.

If the gear is there, it should only go in if lined up correctly (square cable end, square hole) and then not be able to twist (the trans drives the cable but the cable can't drive the trans )

If it engages and meets the above criteria, I'd say clean and lube the cable, clean the threads on the nut and the trans, put the cable back in the sleeve and run with it. :shrug:


The stripped threads on the electric gizmonometer might indicate that someone had the trans out for whatever reason, but neglected to uncouple the lower cable beforehand and basically ripped the threads off when the trans came out cable and all. (it's purpose is to turn on the 'exh sensor' light every 30,000 miles to remind you to change to O2 sensor)


Oh, and if no-one has tampered your steering box, you'll likely find a flat metal loop on one of the cover bolts. That was used to guide the one-piece cable housing around the exhaust in the engine bay on earlier models and continued to show up on some later models as they were part of the steering box as supplied.

bianchi's suggestion about sleeving and/or tying the cable out of the way underneath still applies though regardless of the presence or absence of that loop.

 

[lasajef]

I installed a single cable on my '84 and had a similar problem. I found the squared off end of the cable was defective and would not slip into the transmission, although the outer coupling would thread on. I sent it back to IAP and ordered one from Centerline and it slipped right in.

 

[Alfa_Rover]

Problem Soved

It seems that all one piece, S2 speedometer cables are not created equal. The cable I received from Vicks (on right) has a destictively different lower end than the one from Centerline. The one from Centerline fits my '84 Spider. Note the wider center flange. As noted above, like the IAP cable, the square cable is also different.

Bottom line: if you are planning to switch to a single cable, get it from Centerline.

Cheers,
Larry M.