Trying to hook up speedo cable in the 57 bird to newly installed t-5, I am using my speedo gear from the original auto tranny, I can't get the gear assembly to fully seat it stops about 3/8" from fully seating. Without the gear it will fully seat, I have tried removing part of the nub at end of gear and doesn't improve the situation any. It does however fully seat with no gear. I ma suspecting the gear teeth don't mesh, I have tried slightly turning gear at each attempt as well. Any ideas? It is a 91 world class t5 for mustang.

It's been some years since I did the 55 with a T-5, but I think you need the T-5 gear. I think it fit on the stock cable. As to teeth count, I just don't remember. What I do remember is I needed a (pick a number) 24, and they only came in 23 and 25. Mine reads slightly fast, cheap insurance in a school zone.

miker
55 bird, 32 cabrio F code
Kent, WA
Tucson, AZ

Was the bird an overdrive?  If so, you need the cable for a non-overdrive car.  The o/d in a 57 used the  same transmission end as the 55/56 so I believe.

When I was looking for gears for my C4 trans in my bird, .the descriptions of them said they were the same as a T5 if I remember correctly. 

Can you post a picture of the transmission end of the cable you have?


54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

It was original 57 auto tranny water cooled.

I feel your cable is correct . You would need the later smaller diameter driven gear per pic. Plus the correct helix angle of driven gear. Not sure of your T 5 speedo cable load location. All pics are for drivers side loaded speedo cables and above the mainshaft.

Mike

Plus .... get the newer style retainer clip. Much better than 1957 wire style retainer clip....

Mike

Ah smaller diameter ....that's what it feels like is going on when hangs up inside . Is the smaller diameter a T5 only?

No ... Not a T 5 only gear... Toploaders 3&4 speeds , T 10 4 speeds , etc .. used smaller diameter driven gears. Around 1961 this took place apx. Of coarse mainshaft driver gear diameter and cable load angles in tails were all adjusted.
1957 was change year from early to late on car stick transmissions. Big output 16 spline to 31 spline. Small output 16 spline to 28 spline. 10 spline to 23 spline main drives....etc. I am sure they were using up 56 transmissions before 57 redesigned spline counts.
Not that familiar with automatics..???

Mike