Hmm, maybe try some of the super watery white lithium grease? I would have thought a new cable would be lubed but maybe not.
Mark, I think you and I used the same cable and mine is fine, although the speedo head has issues. It shows too slow, but I know the gears are right because the odometer is right.
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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars
I've had it on an older cable but was fixed when replaced. As suggested it is sticking so probably needs lube or if it was accidentally kinked at some point. Guessing with it being long your curves will be quite gentle.
You should easily be able to reach up and under to screw it off the back of the speedo head Mark, at least I've done that. I'm not quite as broad shouldered as you though, so it's likely easier for a scrawny little guy like me than it will be for you!
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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars
I don't think the cable pulls out from the bottom if I remember right. Best is to pull it all the way out and lube it as you slide it back into the housing.
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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars
So I just went out, reached under and, up and immediately found the cable end.
Pulled the end down and out from between the brake and clutch pedal support. Thought it would be more work getting it down. The cable was kind of stuck in the sheath, a little tugging back and forth and it went pop, and came partially out. When I spun it by hand I could hear it making a shushing sound under the passenger floor (a sign?). The entire cable assembly is actually too long. The right side loop actually rides up on top of the frame siderail. But the loops are gentle.
It looks pretty dry.
I'll pull the cable out and lay it into a bag. Wipe some lube on all of it, then feed it back down into the sheath.
So you think some Lubriplate Lithium grease or the like?
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65 Laurentian post, 67 Grande Parisienne 4 door HT.
Pulled the cable out, it was bone dry, wouldn't even dirty your fingers. Clean.
Lubed it with some very light white lithium.
On the road, it's way better, some light bounce that degreases the faster you go. I'm going to eventually buy some proper lube and try that. I still think there is too much resistance to spin the core.
It might get better on it's own, and would be acceptable as-is, but it still bugs me.
Bottom line: Don't assume any new cable assembly will come pre lubed. And it might not tell you this in any instruction.
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65 Laurentian post, 67 Grande Parisienne 4 door HT.