Guage cluster and speedometer cable questions - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**CPNE** · 04-13-2007, 02:26 PM

I can take apart 67-72 gauge cluster with my eyes closed but have never messed with the 73-87 variety. These questions pertain specifically to an 81 cluster with oil pressure, temp, and volt gauges. No tach.

I have a squeeky speedo cable and I want to lubrucate or replace it.

Questions:

1. It's difficult at best to reach in behind the cluster. Is it best to remove the cluster to gain access to wherer the speedo cable attaches? If not, what's the best way to access? If so, any tips on best way to pull cluster from front? (see question 3)

2. Does the speedo cable have a threaded attachment or is it clipped on? How do I detach from back of speedo?

3. If I do have to pull the cluster out from the front, what all is attached behind it? On 67-72, the oil pressure has a separate hard line to it. Is the 73-up oil guage electronic? Other than the possibility of a separate oil line, is there just a wiring harness to detach?

**CPNE** · 04-13-2007, 07:44 PM

Too many questions or am I the first to attempt this?

**swervin ervin** · 04-13-2007, 08:33 PM

Pulling the gauge cluster makes it easy to reach the speedo cable. It is a clip on hookup. Besides the speedo cable, there is a plug for the rest of the wiring.

**CPNE** · 04-13-2007, 08:48 PM

Thanks, I was hoping it was that easy

Srubydo1986 · 04-13-2007, 10:11 PM

you say it hard to reach the cable. I know i dont have a small arm but i can reach it from underneath in my 86 with ac with no issues.

3. If I do have to pull the cluster out from the front, what all is attached behind it? On 67-72, the oil pressure has a separate hard line to it. Is the 73-up oil guage electronic? Other than the possibility of a separate oil line, is there just a wiring harness to detach

On the back of an 86 or 83. there will be on big cable that does just about everything. Another cable running to the highbeams light. and another cable running fromthe cluster to an ashtray light (if equipped). On a dash witha clock ther will be a seperate cable for that as well.

**CPNE** · 04-13-2007, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Srubydo1986

you say it hard to reach the cable. I know i dont have a small arm but i can reach it from underneath in my 86 with ac with no issues.

Do you have a clutch? I can try again when it's less dark and a bit warmer.

Srubydo1986 · 04-13-2007, 10:29 PM

Iv had both it auto its no problem. Manual, might be harder cause of the 3 petal but it should work. If you go from the drive side up beside the petal and bend your arm/hand to hit the button. Also my manual was a hydrolic clutch dont know what yours is.

Ofcourse my arm/ hand and finger bend in some really mess up ways.

knightlife · 04-14-2007, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CPNE

I can take apart 67-72 gauge cluster with my eyes closed but have never messed with the 73-87 variety. These questions pertain specifically to an 81 cluster with oil pressure, temp, and volt gauges. No tach.

I have a squeeky speedo cable and I want to lubrucate or replace it.

Questions:

1. It's difficult at best to reach in behind the cluster. Is it best to remove the cluster to gain access to wherer the speedo cable attaches? If not, what's the best way to access? If so, any tips on best way to pull cluster from front? (see question 3)

2. Does the speedo cable have a threaded attachment or is it clipped on? How do I detach from back of speedo?

3. If I do have to pull the cluster out from the front, what all is attached behind it? On 67-72, the oil pressure has a separate hard line to it. Is the 73-up oil guage electronic? Other than the possibility of a separate oil line, is there just a wiring harness to detach?

ok here goes-it!

1. reach up where your brake pedal is, as far up as your arm can probably reach (it is an utter pain in the ass but worth it). the speedo cable is a double clipped piece onto the back of the speedo, it is much easier reaching up, than taking the dash apart (trust me, dun it both ways

). use powdered graphite to lubricate it, a whole 1 oz tube should work

2. refer to above statement

3. the oil pressure gauge, you do have to disassemble the dash to do, its easy. I believe it was in 1982 that GM converted over from the oil fed oil sensor, to an electric oil pressure sensor (I could be wrong so dont quote me!)

hope those lil tidbits of intel help ya brudda!

04-13-2007, 02:26 PM	#1
CPNE Resident Curmudgeon Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: NH Posts: 6,662	Guage cluster and speedometer cable questions I can take apart 67-72 gauge cluster with my eyes closed but have never messed with the 73-87 variety. These questions pertain specifically to an 81 cluster with oil pressure, temp, and volt gauges. No tach. I have a squeeky speedo cable and I want to lubrucate or replace it. Questions: 1. It's difficult at best to reach in behind the cluster. Is it best to remove the cluster to gain access to wherer the speedo cable attaches? If not, what's the best way to access? If so, any tips on best way to pull cluster from front? (see question 3) 2. Does the speedo cable have a threaded attachment or is it clipped on? How do I detach from back of speedo? 3. If I do have to pull the cluster out from the front, what all is attached behind it? On 67-72, the oil pressure has a separate hard line to it. Is the 73-up oil guage electronic? Other than the possibility of a separate oil line, is there just a wiring harness to detach? __________________ Currently on or near the homestead: 67 Chevy SWB 2WD stepside 350/3 on tree (Pat's) 67 GMC SWB 2WD Fleet 402/auto (Brian's under construction) 67 Chevy 3/4 ton 2WD 402/auto (Business Hauler) 67 Chevy 1 ton dually 2WD 396/4 speed (Former business hauler, Needs TLC) 68 Chevy 1/2 ton Suburban 2WD 250 six/3 on tree (Brian's Needs TLC) 70 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD 350/4 speed (Pat's - Disguised as a 68 GMC) 71 Chevy SWB stepside (Crushed by tree - parts donor) 72 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD (Parts donor) 72 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD Suburban (Parts Donor) 72 GMC 3/4 ton 4WD 292 six/4 speed (Mine - Disguised as a 67 GMC) 81 GMC 4WD Dually Dump Body 350/4 speed (Business Hauler) 82 Camaro Z/28 355/Super T-10 (Pat's toy) 93 Caprice 9C1 (Brian's Cop Car) 02 Toyota Camry (Reliable but a souless steel and plastic hulk) 2011 2SS RS Camaro M6 Factory Hurst Shifter Maybe I need to sell some of this crap Yet another Bozo with a sawz-all Last edited by CPNE; 04-13-2007 at 02:37 PM.

04-13-2007, 07:44 PM	#2
CPNE Resident Curmudgeon Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: NH Posts: 6,662	Re: Guage cluster and speedometer cable questions Too many questions or am I the first to attempt this? __________________ Currently on or near the homestead: 67 Chevy SWB 2WD stepside 350/3 on tree (Pat's) 67 GMC SWB 2WD Fleet 402/auto (Brian's under construction) 67 Chevy 3/4 ton 2WD 402/auto (Business Hauler) 67 Chevy 1 ton dually 2WD 396/4 speed (Former business hauler, Needs TLC) 68 Chevy 1/2 ton Suburban 2WD 250 six/3 on tree (Brian's Needs TLC) 70 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD 350/4 speed (Pat's - Disguised as a 68 GMC) 71 Chevy SWB stepside (Crushed by tree - parts donor) 72 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD (Parts donor) 72 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD Suburban (Parts Donor) 72 GMC 3/4 ton 4WD 292 six/4 speed (Mine - Disguised as a 67 GMC) 81 GMC 4WD Dually Dump Body 350/4 speed (Business Hauler) 82 Camaro Z/28 355/Super T-10 (Pat's toy) 93 Caprice 9C1 (Brian's Cop Car) 02 Toyota Camry (Reliable but a souless steel and plastic hulk) 2011 2SS RS Camaro M6 Factory Hurst Shifter Maybe I need to sell some of this crap Yet another Bozo with a sawz-all

04-13-2007, 08:33 PM	#3
swervin ervin You get what you pay for Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Cherryville, NC Posts: 4,798	Re: Guage cluster and speedometer cable questions Pulling the gauge cluster makes it easy to reach the speedo cable. It is a clip on hookup. Besides the speedo cable, there is a plug for the rest of the wiring. __________________ Mike 1985 Chevy C-10

04-13-2007, 08:48 PM	#4
CPNE Resident Curmudgeon Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: NH Posts: 6,662	Re: Guage cluster and speedometer cable questions Thanks, I was hoping it was that easy __________________ Currently on or near the homestead: 67 Chevy SWB 2WD stepside 350/3 on tree (Pat's) 67 GMC SWB 2WD Fleet 402/auto (Brian's under construction) 67 Chevy 3/4 ton 2WD 402/auto (Business Hauler) 67 Chevy 1 ton dually 2WD 396/4 speed (Former business hauler, Needs TLC) 68 Chevy 1/2 ton Suburban 2WD 250 six/3 on tree (Brian's Needs TLC) 70 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD 350/4 speed (Pat's - Disguised as a 68 GMC) 71 Chevy SWB stepside (Crushed by tree - parts donor) 72 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD (Parts donor) 72 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD Suburban (Parts Donor) 72 GMC 3/4 ton 4WD 292 six/4 speed (Mine - Disguised as a 67 GMC) 81 GMC 4WD Dually Dump Body 350/4 speed (Business Hauler) 82 Camaro Z/28 355/Super T-10 (Pat's toy) 93 Caprice 9C1 (Brian's Cop Car) 02 Toyota Camry (Reliable but a souless steel and plastic hulk) 2011 2SS RS Camaro M6 Factory Hurst Shifter Maybe I need to sell some of this crap Yet another Bozo with a sawz-all

04-13-2007, 10:11 PM	#5
Srubydo1986 The Crazy Machanic Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Nokesville Va Posts: 1,437	Re: Guage cluster and speedometer cable questions you say it hard to reach the cable. I know i dont have a small arm but i can reach it from underneath in my 86 with ac with no issues. 3. If I do have to pull the cluster out from the front, what all is attached behind it? On 67-72, the oil pressure has a separate hard line to it. Is the 73-up oil guage electronic? Other than the possibility of a separate oil line, is there just a wiring harness to detach On the back of an 86 or 83. there will be on big cable that does just about everything. Another cable running to the highbeams light. and another cable running fromthe cluster to an ashtray light (if equipped). On a dash witha clock ther will be a seperate cable for that as well. __________________ 1986 Sliverado longbed 400 small block mean as hell, 700r4 trans (5 speed coming one day) 1970 chevelle 2dr sedan Latest update June 24 2007. *1957 4 door stationwagon - pink all original needing a good restore (body great, floors bad) newest additions 1965 shortbed fleet great granddads. Been told im nuts to bring it back from the dead (still going to happen) plans-all stock with a turbo 292 inline 3 speed column shift. and thats it big block 427 and 5 speed trans and ford 9 inch theyhave no home yet thinking what to put them in and a 79 c60 trash truck um no idea i have one

04-13-2007, 10:29 PM	#7
Srubydo1986 The Crazy Machanic Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Nokesville Va Posts: 1,437	Re: Guage cluster and speedometer cable questions Iv had both it auto its no problem. Manual, might be harder cause of the 3 petal but it should work. If you go from the drive side up beside the petal and bend your arm/hand to hit the button. Also my manual was a hydrolic clutch dont know what yours is. Ofcourse my arm/ hand and finger bend in some really mess up ways. __________________ 1986 Sliverado longbed 400 small block mean as hell, 700r4 trans (5 speed coming one day) 1970 chevelle 2dr sedan Latest update June 24 2007. *1957 4 door stationwagon - pink all original needing a good restore (body great, floors bad) newest additions 1965 shortbed fleet great granddads. Been told im nuts to bring it back from the dead (still going to happen) plans-all stock with a turbo 292 inline 3 speed column shift. and thats it big block 427 and 5 speed trans and ford 9 inch theyhave no home yet thinking what to put them in and a 79 c60 trash truck um no idea i have one

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