280i Automatic Speedo Cable

[Jon280]

One of yesterdays jobs was removing the speedo cable from my automatic 280i as its a bit ineffective. Further inspection shows that the two ends of it are only loosely connected together, hence why the speedo normally shows me going slower than I actually am...

The question is, where to get a replacement. The part cable itself has a Ford part number on it (78GB-17260-?D) and investigation shows this may be from a Granada, but not been able to find any pictures to confirm if it is or not, or even if TV changed either end of the cable. I think it may hhave been modified as there is a bracket type thing that the cable passes through to hold it into the gearbox that does not fit over either end of the cable.





Any ideas of where to source a replacement part, or is it just easiest to send it off somewhere like Speedy Cables and get them to make a new one up?

[MarkS1966]

Have you tried these people:

http://www.speedograph-richfield.com

They're about 1/2 a mile away from where I live & I've used them in the past with a couple of my old motorbike speedo cables

[Jack Valiant]

If all else fails speak to Speedy Cables they may be able to recondition / copy your original they are not cheap though!

[marcus1875]

i had the same problemfor my 280i. the gearbox wasnt the problem, although the retaining bracket was bugger to fit in situ. the trouble was getting both ends with the correct fitment. could find lots of cablesvto fit the box but they all had the wrong fitting for a smiths speedo.
eventually i gave and gave speedy cables £35 to copy it. they were fairly speedy and it is a quality product but they made me feel as if they were doing me a favour!
marcus

[Wedg1e]

I needed a special speedo cable when I fitted cruise control to the 390SE, so I sent the original cable plus the inline speed transducer to Speedy who made me a split cable for £51 inc. carriage IIRC, I didn't think it was that bad.

The '78GB' part of the Ford code identifies the relevant vehicle (which would have been introduced in 1978 ).

[RCK974X]

Not familiar with automatics THAT much, so I'll ask -
Are you sure the cable flange doesn't split from the brass bush (gearbox end) ??
The reason I ask is that the manual box cable looks very similar but stops/splits at that flange....the brass bush and worm wheel stay in the manual gearbox...but also look very similar

I suggest you try a Granada or Cortina cable, and change the speedo end - if you can find one cheaply to mess with... the inner cable 'squares' are the same as the Ford speedo

I managed to repair my cable after the speedo end fitting came off. It was already split where it had been crimped. Luckily the cable wasn't damaged too much. I carefully refit the end and then used heatshrink and a cable tie to hold it all together... fingers crossed, been OK to date.
I guess you could try that on a Ford cable ?

[Jon280]

Got a cable on the way from speedograph Richfield. £31 delivered, so not too bad seeing as a guess at one from eBay that may or may not be right is getting on for £20.

Will report back once its received and fitted