there's no thread about how to replace a speedometer cable, so I'm going to share what I learned.
1. it can be easy. cut the old cable, and pull it through the firewall, it is accessible from above

2. raising the front driver's tire 12 inches gives plenty of access to the transmission
3. the new cable does not come with a grommet, it is impossible to fit the old grommet over the ends of the new cable. So make a slice in the old grommet, force it into the firewall hole and seal it with good ole classic old as the hills Indian Head Gasket Shellac


4. a flashlight is helpful when inserting the cable into the transmission.

if I knew all this beforehand, things would have gone smoother faster easier cleaner.

 

Good to know....I always wandered about the rubber grommet...

It looks like you need some jack stands...

 

got four of them, don't trust them
in 2003 a lot of mobile homes were knocked off their cinderblocks in northern alabama by an earthquake

btw, the speedometer works now ! it stopped 2 1/2 years ago

 

Prob important to tell folks how to pull the old cable end off the BACK of the speedo!
-that cable end is attached with a 'squeeze' clamping collar, so one needs to get your fingers up back there (usually from laying over the back seat with your head down in the footwell. ugh). Flashlight help to find the point the cable runs out of the firewall, but then its mostly by Braile to remove.
-anyway, squeeze the clamp collar end fitting at the joint where it attaches to the back of the speedo - it is nylon, and pull.
-install is easy, just slide cable/collar over end of speedo and it will click into place.

As too speedo cables without the grommet, these are still avai on ebay, esp from Auzzie suppliers (make sure your ebay settings are for 'worldwide' auctions. I got mine last year this way....


Stu A
80GS
AZ

 

you don't need a flash light if you open the hood, and work from above. You only need a flash light if you are a dummy like me, and pull the whole cable from below, reaching up into ~40 years of old oil, pollen, and road kill. And if that isn't enough, you didn't learn your lesson, and you thread the new cable from below, and thus cannot see anything, and have **** fall into your eyes. Only then you need a flashlight.

I'm just pissed at myself for not thinking this through.

At least I greased the new cable with marine grade grease.