Need Tach cable

[3Dreaming]

Re: Need Tach cable

The inner cable has male ends that fit into the drive socket on the back of the engine and on the back of the tach. The outer cable housing has female end threaded fittings. I'm pretty sure this is standard and I wouldn't imagine there would be any difference between the set up on a C-85 vs. 0-200. If you go on the AC Spruce website and search tach cables, they provide a drawing and details on their cables. That should help clear up what you need.

There were some applications that had a male (external threaded) nut on the cable housing that screwed into the tach or adapter. I think what he is saying is they no longer have a supply of the external threaded nuts to make a replacement cable.

Senior, if that is the case you have 2 choices, repair the cable or buy a new tach along with the new cable.

[senior]

Re: Need Tach cable

There were some applications that had a male (external threaded) nut on the cable housing that screwed into the tach or adapter. I think what he is saying is they no longer have a supply of the external threaded nuts to make a replacement cable.

Senior, if that is the case you have 2 choices, repair the cable or buy a new tach along with the new cable.

That is exactely the case.
I have removed the old outer cable Male end & put on a new cable but we have another T-craft on the rebuild table were going to need a cable for.
I guess I'll just keep an eye out for an old cable I can reb that Male end off.

[mike lutz]

Re: Need Tach cable

There are a couple vintage car and truck web-sites that have these external threaded nuts, and associated parts. I don't remember their names at the moment, but I found them by Googling different vintage car speedo parts web sites. I made one up for a original large tack a couple years ago and this is how I found these parts. Approved?-No.- But I doubt the originals were either. (40,s Studebaker? ).

[Leenicklas]

Re: Need Tach cable

I am pretty sure all cables are wound the same way (never seen a reverse wind one). You fix that by putting an angle gear box on the ends. The gear box makes it MUCH easier to hook up between the fire wall and engine and the instrument back and fuel tank anyway.
You want to make sure that the cable is wound TIGHTER by the engine! If you twist it backwards it will open up and rub on the cable guide and that will wear it out sooner.
If you unscrew the ends where the cable goes in you can swap the guts across and reverse the direction of rotation.

Hank

There is about 3" from the back of my tach to the front of the gas tank on my '46 BC12-D. It's cut and dried that I need a 90 degree fitting on the tack......correct? There is no way that a cable can be bent that sharply and still work without such fitting....correct? Is PN 10-05504 - rt angle tach drive in A/C Spruce catalog the answer? Appreciate any help you can give. Lee Nicklad

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Need Tach cable

There are a few types of tach adapters. The simplest (and usually the least useful) is a curved one like the one attached.
I was sure I had some photos of the other two types of 90* drives I have but can't find them (some day I plan to sort all these photos!) A better one than the curved tube type is a worm gear version and best of all is a worm gear type that you can swap the cable from one end to the other so you can reverse the rotation. That is what I used on both ends of mine to make sure the cable is being TIGHTENED instead of untwisted (for the reason stated in the prior post) and also to insure the left hand (counter clockwise) tach isn't spun backwards. You can switch spin direction on the best ones in about 30 seconds (REAL seconds, not "I can do it in 30 seconds" seconds) DO NOT spin your tach backwards!

Hank


Will post the photos if I can find them. #(%&#(*!

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Need Tach cable

These are the better tach drives. Anyone know what the difference between the SW aircraft tach drive and the SW auto tach drive is? About $100.

Hank

The one on the left is the one you can change the rotation direction on and is made by Stewart Warner

[PA1195]

Re: Need Tach cable

I have one of the A/C Spruce adapters http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalo...ve10-05504.php

The Documents section shows the adapter's dimensions.

Before assembling I'd remove the center portion of the tach cable and clean off any old lube and wear material, and also flush the casing with solvent as well. Then coat with grease and reassemble. The drive cable pulls out and reinstalls from the engine end of the assembly.

Confirm correct rotation by cranking the engine briefly.

Gary

[Leenicklas]

Re: Need Tach cable

I have one of the A/C Spruce adapters http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalo...ve10-05504.php

The Documents section shows the adapter's dimensions.

Before assembling I'd remove the center portion of the tach cable and clean off any old lube and wear material, and also flush the casing with solvent as well. Then coat with grease and reassemble. The drive cable pulls out and reinstalls from the engine end of the assembly.

Confirm correct rotation by cranking the engine briefly.

Gary

Did the 10-05504 work well for you. Recommend it?

[PA1195]

Re: Need Tach cable

Yes it has so far and I recommend it as an owner. I'm not an A&P. I've had adapters before on other aircraft but they were without much product support or documentation and lacked a grease fitting.

In our deep winter cold we need low temp grease for lube in the tach cable and adapter. The grease fitting on the adapter simplifies exchanging the factory lube and allows periodic maintenance. Others require disassembly, cleaning, and hand lubing which implies all the parts and friction washers in particular are returned to their original locations.

I found it's best if possible to let the tach cable take it's own arc to the engine and not force it to make sharp bends. That can cause the inner spinning cable to rub against the casing. On the Taylorcraft the control yoke can get near the cable so pay attention to their spacing when the yoke is moved through its range.

Gary

[astjp2]

Re: Need Tach cable

You can get a small diameter housing cable built also...which makes it easier to make the turn. Tim

[PA1195]

Re: Need Tach cable

You can get a small diameter housing cable built also...which makes it easier to make the turn. Tim

Hi Tim. Maybe give us a link to example of one? And how about a recommendation for grease to lube the tach assembly? My mechanic used a purple colored Shell product but I didn't get the number (maybe Aeroshell 5 or 7?: http://www.shell.com/business-custom...ses/about.html)

The 1985 Taylorcraft parts manual (http://www.taylorcraft.org/resources.html) lists tach, 90* angle drives, and other cable components by P/N. Shouldn't be hard for an A&P to source new to replace old with equivalent if required.

Gary

[Leenicklas]

Re: Need Tach cable

Yes it has so far and I recommend it as an owner. I'm not an A&P. I've had adapters before on other aircraft but they were without much product support or documentation and lacked a grease fitting.

In our deep winter cold we need low temp grease for lube in the tach cable and adapter. The grease fitting on the adapter simplifies exchanging the factory lube and allows periodic maintenance. Others require disassembly, cleaning, and hand lubing which implies all the parts and friction washers in particular are returned to their original locations.

I found it's best if possible to let the tach cable take it's own arc to the engine and not force it to make sharp bends. That can cause the inner spinning cable to rub against the casing. On the Taylorcraft the control yoke can get near the cable so pay attention to their spacing when the yoke is moved through its range.

Gary

Hopefully, my last question: My T/Crafft project came without a tach cable. Anyone out there know the approximate length and general routing of cable from tach, through f/wall to engine?. thanks, Lee

[PA1195]

Re: Need Tach cable

Hopefully, my last question: My T/Crafft project came without a tach cable. Anyone out there know the approximate length and general routing of cable from tach, through f/wall to engine?. thanks, Lee

I don't know a particular length but can measure mine. It would depend on the location of the tach in the panel, routing (mine goes around the right side of the main tank and to the engine). and what size motor mount is installed...standard engine mount or about 4" more forward with the SA1-210 CAP C-85 engine/airframe change like mine.

Gary