D17 diesel Tach drive

Not sure why I am unable to remove my tachometer cable from the drive unit on my diesel? Unscrew the round cable retainer and pull the cable out? It’s in there tight, is there something else I need to unscrew or remove? Tach works fine I just want to install a new cable.

1968 B-208, 1976 720 (2 of them)Danco brush hog, single bottom plow,52" snow thrower, belly mower,rear tine tiller, rear blade, front blade, 57"sickle bar,1983 917 hydro, 1968 7hp sno-bee, 1968 190XTD

Ok thanks, just wanted to make sure I wasn’t missing something

1968 B-208, 1976 720 (2 of them)Danco brush hog, single bottom plow,52" snow thrower, belly mower,rear tine tiller, rear blade, front blade, 57"sickle bar,1983 917 hydro, 1968 7hp sno-bee, 1968 190XTD

AC720Man

Perhaps this info will help you......

I discovered the drive end of the old cable, broken off and still lodged in the hole, when I was installing a New Tach Cable. The previous owner had left the Tach Cable/Sheath in place once the Tachometer stopped working. I was able to remove the Cable Retainer and the Sheath, but could not get the new Cable into the hole. It took a while to figure out what was going on!!!

I could see the drive gear on the top of the oil pump shaft turning, with the broken cable end sitting inside the hole. I was able to extract the broken cable end from the hole, with very fine wires clamping either side of the broken cable end and gently pulling it out of the hole. It fit loose in the hole. A magnet might have pulled it out, bit I did not have one handy

Is it possible your cable is wedged in the hole, preventing extraction? It should be loose. Perhaps it is all twisted up and binding preventing extraction

Does your cable turn when the engine is operating? Or is it broken off somewhere down there inside the Sheath or in the top of the oil pump housing?

Your next step would probable be to start cutting away the Sheath so you can get some WD-40 down the hole to start loosening up the cable for extraction

As I recall, this area is in behind the fuel filters, so not much room...........

As an aside.........I also discovered the old Tach would not move when I tried to manually turn with the new cable (probably what broke the old cable in the first place)

So I took the Tach apart, cleaned and oiled the moving parts, and it works real well now.

Please keep us posted on your efforts

Good luck

1963 D17D Series III. 1965 D15 Series II. 1965 D17 Series IV. 1975 185. 1978 716H. 1979 716H. 1965 780 Harvester/1R&DC. 1957 Model 73 SC 4 Furrow Plow

It could be the steel end of the cable is rusted in the shaft that drives the cable. I had to remove the entire tach drive adaptor assembly from the engine block and drive the end of the cable out with a pin punch. Remove the screw that holds the drive adaptor to the engine and the whole assembly should come out. There is a small shear/drive pin you will have to remove to get drive coupling off of the end shaft. From there you can try removing the cable end though the slot cut in the shaft.

Jason thanks for the phone call and pictures that you texted me. You were exactly correct and I successfully removed the drive and disassembled it in order to get the cable removed from years of rust. Appears to be the original cable. Cleaned and lubricated the drive. Haim at Star Speedometer is making me a new factory correct cable.
Thanks Jason!!

1968 B-208, 1976 720 (2 of them)Danco brush hog, single bottom plow,52" snow thrower, belly mower,rear tine tiller, rear blade, front blade, 57"sickle bar,1983 917 hydro, 1968 7hp sno-bee, 1968 190XTD

Forgot to take a picture of it cleaned up before I reassembled it.

1968 B-208, 1976 720 (2 of them)Danco brush hog, single bottom plow,52" snow thrower, belly mower,rear tine tiller, rear blade, front blade, 57"sickle bar,1983 917 hydro, 1968 7hp sno-bee, 1968 190XTD

Always a good feeling when something goes right and the problem is resolved. This D17 has had plenty of them lol.

1968 B-208, 1976 720 (2 of them)Danco brush hog, single bottom plow,52" snow thrower, belly mower,rear tine tiller, rear blade, front blade, 57"sickle bar,1983 917 hydro, 1968 7hp sno-bee, 1968 190XTD

You're welcome Robbie! Glad it all worked out for you. It's hard to imagine they get rusted like that being almost inside of the engine.

Good morning, I have a 1961, Series II, D17 D, SN: 36471, Does the tach cable also connect behind the fuel filters? I have (what I believe are all the manuals), I have scoured the web and your post is literally the ONLY ONE, that mentions a possible location for it. Thank you in advance for any help you, or the other amazing folks here may be able to provide!

THANK YOU!

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AC720Man Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 10 Oct 2016 Location: Shenandoah, Va Points: 5123	Post Options Post Reply Quote AC720Man Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: D17 diesel Tach drive Posted: 27 Feb 2023 at 2:00pm
	Not sure why I am unable to remove my tachometer cable from the drive unit on my diesel? Unscrew the round cable retainer and pull the cable out? It’s in there tight, is there something else I need to unscrew or remove? Tach works fine I just want to install a new cable.
	1968 B-208, 1976 720 (2 of them)Danco brush hog, single bottom plow,52" snow thrower, belly mower,rear tine tiller, rear blade, front blade, 57"sickle bar,1983 917 hydro, 1968 7hp sno-bee, 1968 190XTD

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DSeries4 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 12 Sep 2009 Location: Ontario, Canada Points: 7433	Post Options Post Reply Quote DSeries4 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 27 Feb 2023 at 3:54pm
	Put a set of channel locks on it. Loosen the collar and wiggle the cable until it works loose.
	'49 G, '54 WD45, '55 CA, '56 WD45D, '57 WD45, '58 D14, '59 D14, '60 D14, '61 D15D, '66 D15II, '66 D21II, '67 D17IV, '67 D17IVD, '67 190XTD, '73 620, '76 185, '77 175, '84 8030, '85 6080

AC720Man Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 10 Oct 2016 Location: Shenandoah, Va Points: 5123	Post Options Post Reply Quote AC720Man Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 27 Feb 2023 at 8:04pm
	Ok thanks, just wanted to make sure I wasn’t missing something
	1968 B-208, 1976 720 (2 of them)Danco brush hog, single bottom plow,52" snow thrower, belly mower,rear tine tiller, rear blade, front blade, 57"sickle bar,1983 917 hydro, 1968 7hp sno-bee, 1968 190XTD

AC720Man Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 10 Oct 2016 Location: Shenandoah, Va Points: 5123	Post Options Post Reply Quote AC720Man Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 28 Feb 2023 at 9:38pm
	Well tried that, and no go. It seams like there is something that is keeping it from coming out. The drive is different then what is one my XT, D15
	1968 B-208, 1976 720 (2 of them)Danco brush hog, single bottom plow,52" snow thrower, belly mower,rear tine tiller, rear blade, front blade, 57"sickle bar,1983 917 hydro, 1968 7hp sno-bee, 1968 190XTD

Leadoff Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Silver Level Joined: 14 Oct 2016 Location: Calgary Points: 283	Post Options Post Reply Quote Leadoff Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 28 Feb 2023 at 11:41pm
	AC720Man Perhaps this info will help you...... I discovered the drive end of the old cable, broken off and still lodged in the hole, when I was installing a New Tach Cable. The previous owner had left the Tach Cable/Sheath in place once the Tachometer stopped working. I was able to remove the Cable Retainer and the Sheath, but could not get the new Cable into the hole. It took a while to figure out what was going on!!! I could see the drive gear on the top of the oil pump shaft turning, with the broken cable end sitting inside the hole. I was able to extract the broken cable end from the hole, with very fine wires clamping either side of the broken cable end and gently pulling it out of the hole. It fit loose in the hole. A magnet might have pulled it out, bit I did not have one handy Is it possible your cable is wedged in the hole, preventing extraction? It should be loose. Perhaps it is all twisted up and binding preventing extraction Does your cable turn when the engine is operating? Or is it broken off somewhere down there inside the Sheath or in the top of the oil pump housing? Your next step would probable be to start cutting away the Sheath so you can get some WD-40 down the hole to start loosening up the cable for extraction As I recall, this area is in behind the fuel filters, so not much room........... As an aside.........I also discovered the old Tach would not move when I tried to manually turn with the new cable (probably what broke the old cable in the first place) So I took the Tach apart, cleaned and oiled the moving parts, and it works real well now. Please keep us posted on your efforts Good luck
	1963 D17D Series III. 1965 D15 Series II. 1965 D17 Series IV. 1975 185. 1978 716H. 1979 716H. 1965 780 Harvester/1R&DC. 1957 Model 73 SC 4 Furrow Plow

Leadoff Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Silver Level Joined: 14 Oct 2016 Location: Calgary Points: 283	Post Options Post Reply Quote Leadoff Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 28 Feb 2023 at 11:45pm
	AC720Man Forgot to mention, my post above was for my D17 III Diesel (IV has same setup)
	1963 D17D Series III. 1965 D15 Series II. 1965 D17 Series IV. 1975 185. 1978 716H. 1979 716H. 1965 780 Harvester/1R&DC. 1957 Model 73 SC 4 Furrow Plow

Jasonw Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Bronze Level Joined: 11 Dec 2017 Location: MD Points: 62	Post Options Post Reply Quote Jasonw Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 01 Mar 2023 at 6:17am
	It could be the steel end of the cable is rusted in the shaft that drives the cable. I had to remove the entire tach drive adaptor assembly from the engine block and drive the end of the cable out with a pin punch. Remove the screw that holds the drive adaptor to the engine and the whole assembly should come out. There is a small shear/drive pin you will have to remove to get drive coupling off of the end shaft. From there you can try removing the cable end though the slot cut in the shaft.

AC720Man Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 10 Oct 2016 Location: Shenandoah, Va Points: 5123	Post Options Post Reply Quote AC720Man Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 01 Mar 2023 at 8:26pm
	The cable still functions and turns the tach. So, it isn’t broken. I have soaked it several times and it’s obviously rusted in place. Jason contacted me this afternoon and he had the same issue on his series III. He took the 1/4” bolt retaining bolt out, loosed the small clamp bolt, turned the assembly and removed it from the engine. His was rusted in place also. So I will try that in the next few days. Thanks for all the suggestions.
	1968 B-208, 1976 720 (2 of them)Danco brush hog, single bottom plow,52" snow thrower, belly mower,rear tine tiller, rear blade, front blade, 57"sickle bar,1983 917 hydro, 1968 7hp sno-bee, 1968 190XTD

AC720Man Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 10 Oct 2016 Location: Shenandoah, Va Points: 5123	Post Options Post Reply Quote AC720Man Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 03 Mar 2023 at 7:44pm
	Jason thanks for the phone call and pictures that you texted me. You were exactly correct and I successfully removed the drive and disassembled it in order to get the cable removed from years of rust. Appears to be the original cable. Cleaned and lubricated the drive. Haim at Star Speedometer is making me a new factory correct cable. Thanks Jason!!
	1968 B-208, 1976 720 (2 of them)Danco brush hog, single bottom plow,52" snow thrower, belly mower,rear tine tiller, rear blade, front blade, 57"sickle bar,1983 917 hydro, 1968 7hp sno-bee, 1968 190XTD

AC720Man Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 10 Oct 2016 Location: Shenandoah, Va Points: 5123	Post Options Post Reply Quote AC720Man Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 03 Mar 2023 at 7:46pm

	1968 B-208, 1976 720 (2 of them)Danco brush hog, single bottom plow,52" snow thrower, belly mower,rear tine tiller, rear blade, front blade, 57"sickle bar,1983 917 hydro, 1968 7hp sno-bee, 1968 190XTD

AC720Man Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 10 Oct 2016 Location: Shenandoah, Va Points: 5123	Post Options Post Reply Quote AC720Man Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 03 Mar 2023 at 7:47pm

	1968 B-208, 1976 720 (2 of them)Danco brush hog, single bottom plow,52" snow thrower, belly mower,rear tine tiller, rear blade, front blade, 57"sickle bar,1983 917 hydro, 1968 7hp sno-bee, 1968 190XTD

AC720Man Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 10 Oct 2016 Location: Shenandoah, Va Points: 5123	Post Options Post Reply Quote AC720Man Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 03 Mar 2023 at 7:49pm

	1968 B-208, 1976 720 (2 of them)Danco brush hog, single bottom plow,52" snow thrower, belly mower,rear tine tiller, rear blade, front blade, 57"sickle bar,1983 917 hydro, 1968 7hp sno-bee, 1968 190XTD

AC720Man Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 10 Oct 2016 Location: Shenandoah, Va Points: 5123	Post Options Post Reply Quote AC720Man Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 03 Mar 2023 at 7:51pm

	1968 B-208, 1976 720 (2 of them)Danco brush hog, single bottom plow,52" snow thrower, belly mower,rear tine tiller, rear blade, front blade, 57"sickle bar,1983 917 hydro, 1968 7hp sno-bee, 1968 190XTD

AC720Man Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 10 Oct 2016 Location: Shenandoah, Va Points: 5123	Post Options Post Reply Quote AC720Man Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 03 Mar 2023 at 7:53pm

	1968 B-208, 1976 720 (2 of them)Danco brush hog, single bottom plow,52" snow thrower, belly mower,rear tine tiller, rear blade, front blade, 57"sickle bar,1983 917 hydro, 1968 7hp sno-bee, 1968 190XTD

AC720Man Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 10 Oct 2016 Location: Shenandoah, Va Points: 5123	Post Options Post Reply Quote AC720Man Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 03 Mar 2023 at 7:54pm
	Forgot to take a picture of it cleaned up before I reassembled it.
	1968 B-208, 1976 720 (2 of them)Danco brush hog, single bottom plow,52" snow thrower, belly mower,rear tine tiller, rear blade, front blade, 57"sickle bar,1983 917 hydro, 1968 7hp sno-bee, 1968 190XTD

Leadoff Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Silver Level Joined: 14 Oct 2016 Location: Calgary Points: 283	Post Options Post Reply Quote Leadoff Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 05 Mar 2023 at 11:02am
	AC720Man Congratulations. Excellent pics. That cable was not going to fall out of the slot!! Great to see members take the time to get their equipment back to original Thanks for posting your project
	1963 D17D Series III. 1965 D15 Series II. 1965 D17 Series IV. 1975 185. 1978 716H. 1979 716H. 1965 780 Harvester/1R&DC. 1957 Model 73 SC 4 Furrow Plow

AC720Man Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 10 Oct 2016 Location: Shenandoah, Va Points: 5123	Post Options Post Reply Quote AC720Man Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 05 Mar 2023 at 9:10pm
	Always a good feeling when something goes right and the problem is resolved. This D17 has had plenty of them lol.
	1968 B-208, 1976 720 (2 of them)Danco brush hog, single bottom plow,52" snow thrower, belly mower,rear tine tiller, rear blade, front blade, 57"sickle bar,1983 917 hydro, 1968 7hp sno-bee, 1968 190XTD

DiyDave Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Access Joined: 11 Sep 2009 Location: Gambrills, MD Points: 53237	Post Options Post Reply Quote DiyDave Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 06 Mar 2023 at 4:33am
	Remember to apply never sieze compound on re-assembly!. After removing 1, I figgered out that this was a job for Kroil, then vice grips with a slide hammer attached.. If you don't have room for a full sized slide hammer, there is a smaller version, available, too! https://www.youtube.com/shorts/UFLu--T6VE0 Edited by DiyDave - 06 Mar 2023 at 4:42am
	Source: Babylon Bee. Sponsored by BRAWNDO, its got what you need!

Jasonw Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Bronze Level Joined: 11 Dec 2017 Location: MD Points: 62	Post Options Post Reply Quote Jasonw Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 06 Mar 2023 at 7:16am
	You're welcome Robbie! Glad it all worked out for you. It's hard to imagine they get rusted like that being almost inside of the engine.

AC720Man Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 10 Oct 2016 Location: Shenandoah, Va Points: 5123	Post Options Post Reply Quote AC720Man Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 06 Mar 2023 at 8:30am
	I’m a huge fan of Kroil but I soaked it several times since I had my Tach rebuilt and it didn’t work. May be the first time Kroil didn’t creep to get it loose. After I disassembled I could see why. I use never seize in most applications but I didn’t use never seize because it is designed to draw engine oil up the tube via the spiral design. Since I cleaned it well it should work as designed.
	1968 B-208, 1976 720 (2 of them)Danco brush hog, single bottom plow,52" snow thrower, belly mower,rear tine tiller, rear blade, front blade, 57"sickle bar,1983 917 hydro, 1968 7hp sno-bee, 1968 190XTD

RCrabtr2 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Bronze Level Joined: 16 Mar 2025 Location: Texas Points: 2	Post Options Post Reply Quote RCrabtr2 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Yesterday at 8:52am
	Good morning, I have a 1961, Series II, D17 D, SN: 36471, Does the tach cable also connect behind the fuel filters? I have (what I believe are all the manuals), I have scoured the web and your post is literally the ONLY ONE, that mentions a possible location for it. Thank you in advance for any help you, or the other amazing folks here may be able to provide!

RedHeeler79 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Bronze Level Joined: 09 Sep 2023 Location: NE Kansas Points: 186	Post Options Post Reply Quote RedHeeler79 Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Posted: Yesterday at 9:36am
	Yes, right where you’re thinking. See the pic, cable is attached

RCrabtr2 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Bronze Level Joined: 16 Mar 2025 Location: Texas Points: 2	Post Options Post Reply Quote RCrabtr2 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 6 hours 42 minutes ago at 10:28am
	THANK YOU!