Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

My car is standard eight 1948
Station sedan
Overdrive( not connects yet)
3 speed manual transmission

I got a used cable
The squared end matches the broken end of the broken cable that was in the housing. The broken cable was about 2’ long

My car is 1948 station sedan
3 speed with overdrive
The original cable was broken about 2’ long
The replacement cable was used

I am trying to install a new cable

If you have both pieces of the old cable have you laid them side by side and verified the new one is the same length. If you don't have the old cable you will need to figure out some way to confirm the length is correct. It might even be a good idea to disconnect the housing end adapter at the transmission to check the gear and then remove the entire cable assembly from the car so the cable and housing can be laid side by side to verify the length of the cable can reach the gear shaft and insert about 3/4 inch.

Before installing the new cable, have you verified the speedometer is OK. To have a cable completely break means there was either a very sharp bend or else the speedometer drive piece in the support bushing is extremely hard to turn. Years of use with not adding any oil to the speedometer oil hole can let the two parts dry and seize. Make sure the part the cable end inserts into is turning freely before you try to use the new cable or you could be looking for another one quite soon and definitely add a few drops of light machine hole to the hole located in the center of the square bump at the top of the casting where the cable housing screws on before you finish the cable install.