Again:


One cable for all those functions, odometer, cruise, tripodometer, speedometer, all use the same cable.

 

So it's been a while since I've driven the truck. I'm second guessing if my odo worked. BUT I've tried to replace the cluster and it still didn't give me a speed readout. if not the cable and the cluster what could be the issue? I'm clueless

 

Okay, sounds like a drive around the block is in order. If nothing is working then yes, the cable is likely the culprit. Either the cable or the nylon drive gear at the end of it where it hooks into the transmission.

 

OK. so I found a replacement cable, and I had about an hour after work and before dark to install it today so I did that, and transferred the drive gear and the O-ring over to the new cable. still no speedometer. Drove around the block and I have no odometer either...

so I was wondering if the cruise control might be something that could be interfering? I have a pic of it here with the new cables installed.




Also... as I sit here pondering I realized that I forgot to tighten the bolt down where the cable enters the tcase.

stupid misstep but could that be the issue?


and lastly, here is a pic of the rear bumper. what is this used for?

 

okay. so tightened up that bolt today. that wasn't it but it needed it anyway.

I took the cables off the cruise control (I'm assuming that is what it is) and twisted the upper to see if it even made the speedo needle jump. it DOES! so my question, is it possible to install the cables to the cruise backwards? if not then I may have to return my cables and just get the "no cruise" version and see if that works.

 

I take it the drive gear on the end of the cable looked okay? Might want to spin it by hand and see if it moves on the other end, maybe the square inside is rounded out?

That is an odd hitch....

 

so Good-ish news. when I spin the drive gearthe cable does not spin. so quick question. how well would gorilla gluing that sucker onto the cable work? Or should I just look for a new one?

 

Just do a new gear, you don't want any adhesive falling off into the transmission. The gear isn't hard to find and pretty cheap. Just make sure to match the color of yours, the color equals a certain gear count for different ratios.

 

Alright so... I just got my new gear in. I went and took the old one off and this happened... that's the old drive gear with the brand new cable. Any idea what happened? All I did was install the cable, backed up and drove forward to see if the speedo would move. that cable bit is jammed in too. I couldn't pull it out with pliers.

 

Looks like the cable was either defective or it got kinked or pinched somewhere. The transducer (for the cruise) spins through okay right?

I did something similar to my '69, cable came in contact with the exhaust and self-destructed shortly after putting it in. I went back to the store I got it from and they warranty exchanged it, no questions. Might be worth a try.

 

ALRIGHT!! I got the speedo working the truck runs and drives!!

But I have another question for you all. The truck seems to get to a decently high rpm before it shifts. I've never really driven a truck this old and with only 3 speeds. So is the high rev normal?

 

There's a valve on the side of the injection pump, has two vacuum lines to it, it's called the VRV if I recall correctly. There's two screws on it, you loosen then and can adjust the valve one way or another to improve your shifting.

 

A quick search yielded some good info on this:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...ml#post6075785

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ing-wrong.html

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...rd-shifts.html

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...owing-mpg.html

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...djustment.html

 

well I went out just now and adjusted that vrv. it looks like the plug is broken. pic here:

and some more:







I noticed this is a little "spring loaded" when I loosened the screws. is it something that I can buy, or go to a "pic-a-part" and snag? Just the plastic parts in the pic

 

Don't know where it's available, but here's a part number: E5TA-7B200-BB

There's a newer version on ebay, but I don't know if it'll interchange. And it's $99, ouch. Pick A Part might be your best bet.