1954 speedometer sending unit advice needed

Posted by longjohn On 2022/11/15 16:56:58

I am just finishing up a restoration on a 1954 convertible with the 359 and ultramatic (not gear start).
I took it out for its first test drive and everything seemed to be functioning properly except the speedometer cable was making some noise. I pulled the cable housing off the speedometer and put a little light grease on the cable and reinserted it. Now, the speedometer is not working at all. The problem is that the cable is not turning.

The cable is not turning so I either don't have it seated into the drive unit or the drive unit has gone bad. I push the cable in as far as it will go and at that point, I can't move it with my fingers so I assume it is seated. Is my thinking correct? Anyone have a suggestion about how to check if it is seated or a trick to get it seated?

If I need to pull out the drive unit does anyone have a trick to get at it? My hands are too big to do much more than feel around up on top of the tranny with the fluid lines in the way. I was able to get on the cable end at the drive unit with a short wrench and could turn it about 1/8 turn so getting it out is going to be a long frustrating process. I am afraid that if I can get it out, that I won't be able to get it back in.