sprint speedo cable lengths

[cliftyhanger]

I see from various websites there are 2 lengths of sprint seedo cable for OD cars. One is 50" (or sometimes 51" depending on the seller) and others 54" (76 on cars)
I am strugging to understand why thre is a difference. Any ideas?

[Carledo]

From 76 on, overdrive was standard, so the longer cable was the only one needed, prior to that, O/D was an option so the shorter one was standard fit with the longer for O/D optioned cars.

Steve

[Tony Burd]

I think on early cars the Speedo cable takes a different route, it enters the car through a hole just above the gearbox tunnel, shown in this picture, whereas later cars it comes through the bulkhead, might explain the difference.
This is all from memory so I could be speaking rubbish!

[cliftyhanger]

I have seen both lengths advertised as for OD cars, with just the year being different.
Luckily I have a suitable 54" cable amongst 20 or so others, coiled up in a box. So I will use that. It feels very smooth, so no worries there.
Thank you both for the replies

[Mad Mart]

On non-overdrive boxes, the speedo drive is on the LH side just behind the gearbox casing. On overdrive boxes the speedo drive is on the RH side near the back of the overdrive. There are about 8" between the two positions.