915 first experience + small question

[cjmurph]

Wife and I are shopping and we test drove a beautiful 86 with a 915 today. Current owners are wonderful people and I appreciated the patience with my lousy shifting.

My experience with P-cars is limited so I read the threads as often as possible. I have a 71 but the work is beginning to out weigh the rewards.

We loved the 86 but my question was simply is it normal for the "compound bow" feel of the clutch pedal for these cars? The pedal feels very heavy early on and much easier as it gets closer to the floor. The engage seems to be near the top of the pedal travel which lended towards difficult control.

I wouldn't believe the "compound bow" feel to be a problem if the clutch completely engaged prior to reaching the spring up in the pedal travel. Maybe a simple clutch adjustment that the current owner is accustomed to but definitely one that I would have to address to be comfortable.

Does this sound normal?
Thanks

[Flat6pac]

You are able to adjust the engagement point on the 77 and later 915 cars. It is done by moving the bowden shield around the clutch cable forward and aft at the end of the shield by the bottom of the trans.
The stroke of the pedal changes because there is the large helper spring on the clutch engagement arm and the inital pull brings the spring off of rest.
Bruce

[cjmurph]

Thanks Bruce. I was late realizing I posted in the wrong spot but you are assuring me of what I was hoping.
I can adjust the engagement point without messing too much with the spring feel of the clutch pedal (I describe as drawing a compound bow). In my opinion, the spring is o.k and probably even beneficial for the occasional quick shift but only if clutch is nearly fully engaged prior to meeting that point in the pedal release.
Kinda hard to describe.
If I pursue a purchase, I'll need to make sure the adjustment is available. If not, I would think that would be a symptom of clutch wear.
Not to start a major debate about transmissions and the such but I thought my little 71 was finicky until I drove this car. I am sure much of this is my lack of experience though.


Thanks
Curt

[JJ 911SC]

Curt

Tell me that if you are going ahead with the purchase, you are getting PPI along with a compression/leak down test to avoid unpleasant surprises?

P.S. Kendall should take care of that... Just kidding

[cjmurph]

JJ
How could i forget the Kendall!! I read the thread awhile back.
Literally the first change I plan to make.. pardon the swepco gods.
The PPI is in the works. We asked the "what would it take $$". I promise to shoot you some pics if things go forward.
I will likely be a 2 porsche owner for a very brief time. Isn't that cool..not with my pockets!
3 years in the making and wife got to drive a road ready porsche (not ours) best described by Forrest Gump
" I 'm not a smart man... but I know what love is. "

Murf

[JJ 911SC]

If I remember well, the compression test add less than $100 and I gave them new spar plug to put in since they were "in there" and you get to "analyzed" the spark plug coming off.

[KTL]

Clutch pedal should have a "compound bow" feel to it, but it should not be considered heavy. Sometimes people improperly route the clutch cable thru the bowden tube and it ends up damaging the cable in short order. A properly routed and adjusted 915 clutch with all good cable, pedal bushings, helper/omega spring, release bearing, release fork, and shaft bushings should have a bit of effort but not be considered heavy. It works very smoothly when all pieces are in good working order. Also the release point is typically set more toward the bottom (depressed) of the pedal travel.

[Flat6pac]

Another possibility for the heavy clutch is the upper spring lever is suposed to idle on the shaft and the arms do seize on the shaft and make the petal heavy. Easy fix on Carrera.
Bruce

[cjmurph]

Thanks for the input fellow pelicans.

The clutch or clutch feel is no deal breaker but I had never driven a porsche other than my own (only ridden in maybe 4) and the history on that is a whole seperate topic.

I did manage to replace my clutch in the 71 and it's been one of the more "straightforward tasks" I've undertaken with gratification. If the late release is a sign of clutch wear, we will still go forward. If it's a mere adjustment then I'll hit the boards and maybe get some needed direction from this forum after I get it in my garage.

Prior to handing a chunk of cash over to the current owner, if I wanted to take a peek under the car and just acknowledge whether there was room to actually adjust and get the clutch to engage earlier, do you guys have a pic or common thread you could point me to? I'm with Kevin, I would rather the release be closer to the floor.

The 71 was easy, simply adjust until pedal free play was at correct limits.

Curt

[JJ 911SC]

Originally Posted by cjmurph

Thanks for the input fellow pelicans.

The clutch or clutch feel is no deal breaker but I had never driven a porsche other than my own (only ridden in maybe 4) and the history on that is a whole seperate topic.

I did manage to replace my clutch in the 71 and it's been one of the more "straightforward tasks" I've undertaken with gratification. If the late release is a sign of clutch wear, we will still go forward. If it's a mere adjustment then I'll hit the boards and maybe get some needed direction from this forum after I get it in my garage.

Prior to handing a chunk of cash over to the current owner, if I wanted to take a peek under the car and just acknowledge whether there was room to actually adjust and get the clutch to engage earlier, do you guys have a pic or common thread you could point me to? I'm with Kevin, I would rather the release be closer to the floor.

The 71 was easy, simply adjust until pedal free play was at correct limits.

Curt

Curt

I'm starting to put everything back this weekend starting with the new flywheel all the way to new clutch cable and pedal bushing. I'll take pics and take exception note.

Bonne Chance

JJ

[cjmurph]

Thanks JJ. Honestly I was counting on you but knew you had your own tranny work to complete.
The garage pic looked awesome. We'll chat/pm later but I'm admiring the lift and das babe.
I'm going to need some cheap "R and R" if this thing comes through. You being a fellow connoisseur would understand best.

[E Sully]

A properly adjusted clutch should have a gap at the yellow arrow of 1.mm. The length of travel when you depress the clutch pedal should be 25mm.

[cjmurph]

thanks Ed just the pic I was needing.

[JJ 911SC]

Originally Posted by E Sully

A properly adjusted clutch should have a gap at the yellow arrow of 1.mm. The length of travel when you depress the clutch pedal should be 25mm.

Ed

Is an hammered SSIs flange just above the Omega spring?

[E Sully]

Yes, it needed a light bend to clear.

[cjmurph]

When I want to make the clutch accuate closer to the floor, I adjust the bowden tube adjustment (green arrow) correct?

When I want to adjust the compound bow feel or pedal travel I adjust at the red arrow? What does that specific adjustment do? Engage spring at different paramenters?

Is the gap at the yellow arrow depicted 1mm or is that pic of a improperly adjusted clutch? What would the symptoms be if that yellow arrow adjustment is off?
Just about to dig in and any bit of clarity would be appreciated.

Curt

[cjmurph]

Looking at again, I almost feel as though I have it backwards.

[E Sully]

The cable shown is adjusted properly. The 1mm gap and the 25mm travel are the factory specs.
The clutch pedal also has adjustments that affect the rear adjustment. There is a plate on the wooden floorboard that is a stop for the pedal to set the travel.

[cjmurph]

Ed - my clutch adjustment at the red arrow is almost completely buried in (almost maximum gap at yellow arrow). Does that signify anything particular? If I shorten the gap back closer to spec at the yellow arrow, will the clutch engage closer to the floor or further up in travel. Seems to be the wrong direction I was hoping for. I really wanted the clutch to engage closer to the floor.

Should I start by setting the yellow arrow gap closer and make any further adjustments at the green arrow (bowden tube)?
Your help is greatly appreciated.

Curt