Speedometer cable to transmission connection

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my68barracuda

my68barracuda

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I have a 1974 904 in the 68 Barracuda.
On a few short drives the speedometer needle was jumpy so I decided to change out the OE speedometer cable.
RockAuto has a Pioneer CA-3027 that is said to fit a 68 Barracuda for a little over $10.00 + shipping.
When I got it, found the transmission connection nut was too small.
I ordered and received an OER 3592360 from Summit and it fits.
That cable was $45.00
When I went to return the RockAuto part, working their online return system, I could return the part and get the money spent on the part back, but I have to pay $6.00 and change return shipping. That does not seem right, that a part can be listed to fit and it does not and the buyer looses money over it,,
It’s not about the $6.00, it’s about getting parts listings right.
But before I do that,, does anyone know is there a 68 Barracuda or other similar application that would take a small transmission screw on connection? Before I push this with RockAuto I would like some assurance that their listing is indeed wrong, as it appears to be.
Both the Pioneer and the OER speedometer cable have the correct clip on speedometer connection. The RockAuto cable is about 14 inches longer than either the OE 68 cable or the Summit OER cable, so that indicates that the listed RockAuto application may be wrong.
in the photo below:
The Summit OER-3592360 is on the left, 1.0 inches across the flats
The OE 68 Barracuda is in the middle, 1.0 inches across the flats
The RockAuto Pioneer Ca-3027 is on the left, 3/4 inch OD diameter
F243F885-6B66-48C5-A9D6-8822C21B74B2.jpeg
 
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The small, round threaded knurl is not right for your application.

If it is correct for an older or newer application, I do not know what it would be for.
 
That looks like the connector used on *late 80s?* Dakotas/Rams that had the inline VSS on the transmission.
s-l225.webp
 
There was more than one size at the transmission. I don't know when or how many times it changed. Look at this cable. Both nuts appear to be about the same size. 66 67 Charger coronet belvedere GTX Dart Barracuda OEM Speedometer Cable NICE | eBay
1968 was a transition year for several things. Not only is build date a factor but a railroad strike that caused a industry wide parts shortage is also a factor. I wont go under my 67 to check the thread diameter of the speedo drive on this OEM 904. I can't fault RockAuto for the discrepancies in 1968 model builds either.
 
I encountered the same thing when I replaced the one in my 72 Duster. Come to find the 727 a prior owner swapped in place of the 4 speed was a 73 TF. So maybe your transmission is not the original?

Pat
 
Divenut said:
I encountered the same thing when I replaced the one in my 72 Duster. Come to find the 727 a prior owner swapped in place of the 4 speed was a 73 TF. So maybe your transmission is not the original?

Pat
Click to expand...
Yes, OP said he has a 1974 904 in a '68 Barracuda. Which shouldn't matter, all '66 and later (non-cable shifted) trannies that I've seen used the same speedometer drive housing (okay, maybe not some of the late OD trannies). Beginning in the late 80s or thereabouts, Mopar started using a screw-on Vehicle Speed Sensor to accommodate their first rudimentary computer controls on the Dakotas and Rams, maybe others too. These attached to the normal trans. speedo drive, but had a smaller speedo cable nut fitting on the output side of the VSS. This is the only setup that I've seen that uses the smaller cable fitting (emphasis on "only one I've SEEN" :) ) on a RWD vehicle. Coincidentally, it's the same fitting that was used on the speedometer end of the cable on '66 and earlier cars before they went to the push-on connector...
 
RedFish said:
There was more than one size at the transmission. I don't know when or how many times it changed. Look at this cable. Both nuts appear to be about the same size. 66 67 Charger coronet belvedere GTX Dart Barracuda OEM Speedometer Cable NICE | eBay
1968 was a transition year for several things. Not only is build date a factor but a railroad strike that caused a industry wide parts shortage is also a factor. I wont go under my 67 to check the thread diameter of the speedo drive on this OEM 904. I can't fault RockAuto for the discrepancies in 1968 model builds either.
Click to expand...
That actually looks like an intermediate cable for cars equipped with cruise control- short length, trans. style nuts on both ends. It ran from the trans. to the cruise control, and a second cable went from the cruise control to the speedometer head.
 
Professor Fate said:
That actually looks like an intermediate cable for cars equipped with cruise control- short length, trans. style nuts on both ends. It ran from the trans. to the cruise control, and a second cable went from the cruise control to the speedometer head.
Click to expand...
My stock 68 340 4 speed has that cable and it attaches to a short cable to the back of the speedo. (no cruise) two piece setup. TheNAPA one I purchase is a one piece version.
 
Kendog 170 said:
My stock 68 340 4 speed has that cable and it attaches to a short cable to the back of the speedo. (no cruise) two piece setup. TheNAPA one I purchase is a one piece version.
Click to expand...
Hmm... I've had a couple of '68s and they were single cables- so who knows. A lot of weird stuff happened on assembly lines! I'll never say I've seen everything!
 
Professor Fate said:
That looks like the connector used on *late 80s?* Dakotas/Rams that had the inline VSS on the transmission.
s-l225.webp
Click to expand...

the post from Professor Fate was on target,,
I contacted RockAuto and although they do all of their sales and return operations on line I was able to get a RockAuto person to call me back and we talked on the phone. Using the late 80's Dakota VSS adapter as the most likely mating part to the Pioneer CA-3027 cable and also bringing to RockAuto's attention that:
1) the Pioneer CA-3027 cable is over a foot and half longer than the OE cable
2) The Pioneer CA-3027 cable has no provision to accept the firewall grommet used on a 1968 Barracuda
3) Coupled with the nut issue on the Pioneer CA-3027

RockAuto replied that they discussed the issue with the part supplier and the part supplier agrees that the CA-3027 cable is not a fit to a 1968 Barracuda.
RockAuto said they will update their online catalog and they also 100% refunded the: price of the part, shipping and sales tax, without me returning the part.

Again, it was not about the money, its about getting the sales listing correct so folks can order parts that fit.
I know that Summit also lists the Pioneer CA-3027 as fitting a '68 Barracuda, I will contact them next week to give them a heads up on this issue.
 
my68barracuda said:
the post from Professor Fate was on target,,
I contacted RockAuto and although they do all of their sales and return operations on line I was able to get a RockAuto person to call me back and we talked on the phone. Using the late 80's Dakota VSS adapter as the most likely mating part to the Pioneer CA-3027 cable and also bringing to RockAuto's attention that:
1) the Pioneer CA-3027 cable is over a foot and half longer than the OE cable
2) The Pioneer CA-3027 cable has no provision to accept the firewall grommet used on a 1968 Barracuda
3) Coupled with the nut issue on the Pioneer CA-3027

RockAuto replied that they discussed the issue with the part supplier and the part supplier agrees that the CA-3027 cable is not a fit to a 1968 Barracuda.
RockAuto said they will update their online catalog and they also 100% refunded the: price of the part, shipping and sales tax, without me returning the part.

Again, it was not about the money, its about getting the sales listing correct so folks can order parts that fit.
I know that Summit also lists the Pioneer CA-3027 as fitting a '68 Barracuda, I will contact them next week to give them a heads up on this issue.
Click to expand...
Glad to hear RA did the right thing for you! And thanks for doing a favor to other buyers!
 
I'll add another little tidbit here. At least through '67, the nut on the transmission end of the cable was crimped to the cable. In other words they do not spin free. To unscrew it, the adapter with the pinion has to be removed from the transmission.
 
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