Heater cables

Mysterytrain · 03-19-2006, 05:03 PM

I'm in the process of installing a handbrake assembly from an 88 carrera into my SC. The reason behind this foolish move is that I'm installing a 3 speed heater control console in the car to control my footwell blowers in a more factory like arrangement. The heater control console required heater levers on each side of the handbrake, hence all of this additional work. Unfortunately my 30 year old heater cables didn't like being tampered with and broke when I tried to detach it from the original 78 heater lever. Question that I have is that there appears to be a different and greatly improved mounting method for the cables on the 87 to 89 heater levers. There also appears to be a different part number for the 87-89 cables. I'm trying to verify that the 911-424-701-07 cables for the 87-89 cars actual differ from the 75-86 cables, 911-424-701-01. Anyone have any info on the difference..other then the newer ones being almost twice the older version?
Enclosed are some pictures of the the 78 levers with the small holes in the ends for the cables.

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And here is the 88 levers, note the shafts with spring clips on the end for easy removal. Makes me wonder if the matching cables have bushings on their ends.

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Mysterytrain · 03-19-2006, 08:03 PM

Bump for the west coast and sopranos fans

Mysterytrain · 03-20-2006, 06:43 AM

last ditch monday morning bump

Mysterytrain · 03-22-2006, 02:55 PM

Ok, its a sad day when you talk to yourself in public..but I was able to solve this little mystery on my own and wanted to share my findings with you guys.
In the world of Porsche heater cables there appears to be a few flavors. For the early cars, 75 thru 86, there are two part numbers 911-424-701-01 and 911-424-701-02. The difference between these two parts is very simple, 911-424-701-01 has a loop at one end and a single long length of wire that is about 4 feet long. 911-424-701-02 has a loop at one end and TWO 4 foot leads..ok, that makes sense, its used for the single lever autoheat system.
Then it gets Porsche weird..there is another pair of part numbers for the 87-89 cars. 911-424-701-07 and 911-424-701-08...well, it turns out that its the same deal with these two parts. The 911-424-701-07 has the single 4 foot lead and the -08 has the two leads. Ahh yes, but the club sport 87-89 uses the earlier numbers!! Hmmm, so what gives? Confused? I was too. To make matters worse, when comparing the prices between the earlier single lead 911-424-701-01 and the later 911-424-701-07 single lead I found the -07 was 7 bucks more expensive.
I called Stoddard early monday morning, before Pelican was awake and they had both parts in stock and said they would call me right back...never called me back {its been 3 days now!!}..So, I called Pelican, they didn't have them in stock they would need to be special ordered..but I didn't know which one to order. So, I called Princeton Porsche..nope they didn't have them nor did they know what the difference was...but they looked up the parts and gave me a list of dealers that had both parts in stock and hopefully could give me a visual description over the phone. A few phone calls later I was in business and ordered the 87-89 cables and they arrived this afternoon. After measuring and making sure they were the same length as the -01 parts I snapped a picture that tells it all and clearly clarifies why the newer part is so much more expensive!

Yes, my friends you are witnessing a seven dollar round bend right there..can I get an amen!!
The earlier part has an oblong loop and the newer has a round loop...."but Hans, is the loop really worth an extra 7 dollars". "Ya, Ya!!"
Actually the good news is the round loop simply slips over the shafts in the fourth picture that I posted above and is held in place by the retaining clips. So there you have it. Nice an easy!

A little side note..my dealer had that new porsche on the floor..you know I'm old school..but I really liked its looks.

ianc · 03-22-2006, 04:25 PM

Thanks for the post Ron. Seems like the older part could be used just as easily with the newer controls if they are the same length. Are they?

Would like to see some pics of your footwell blower install in the SC if you get a chance. Take care,

ianc

Mysterytrain · 03-22-2006, 05:49 PM

Ian, I attempted to reshape the oblong end on one of my original cables. They didn't like being reshaped and I was unable to get a perfectly round opening. The advantage to using the correct cable is that it fits on the shaft without any slop. Unfortunately, cable replacement wasn't something I had planned on. When I removed the old cables I decided to replace the guide tubes and the end caps. I was pleasantly surprised at the great shape the heater flapper boxes were in so I'm going to clean and respray them so I can get another 30 years out of them. Once I get the cables installed and the handbrake back in place I'm going to remove my original footwell blower wiring and replace it with the new wiring for the new heater console. I can't believe how much additional work I've made for myself because I prefered the factory look rather then the 3 speed switch I had installed. Anyway, when I do the re-install I plan to take pictures of the components and their placement. I've drawn up a wiring diagram and I will also include a picture of my 'overkill' resistor pack. I figure this will help the next soul that wanders down this path. All in all it really is a simple upgrade, I just had to get fancy....at least I had the good sense not to want autoheat!

84CAB · 03-22-2006, 06:13 PM

How are the older cables installed? Do you have to untwist them and thread them through the hole? Looks like thats the only way to do it from the pics.

ianc · 03-22-2006, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Do you have to untwist them and thread them through the hole?

You've got it Elvis.

Ron, looking forward to more pics,

ianc