[Ron Ramirez]

Here is your answer.

http://www.philcoradio.com/tech/dialcord.htm

Edit 2/25/18:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005467UHQ/ (H/T to Nathan S.)

I ran into the same problem on my custom-built Model 97, which uses the same dial drive as your 16. The Crochet Nylon solved the problem. I coated the string with violin rosin that had been melted in acetone to make sure it did not slip.