Fresh Air Cables

Poor-sche Lover · Poor-sche Lover's Garage

I am trying to find a replacement cable for my fresh air diverter lever (the middle one on the dash). I don't see it on Pelican. I've heard of people using lawnmower throttle cables for the flapper box cables, but I can't imagine they're strong enough for this. Is there anything else that people have used successfully? Thanks.

Alan
'82 Guards Red SC Targa

Mo_Gearhead · 12-30-2007, 04:43 AM

People are always stripping out heaters/parts/etc. for their track/race cars.

Post a "want to buy" ad in the "For Sale/Wanted" here. Also watch eBay for parts.

(I would think a lawnmower throttle cable could be made to work. Not much strength needed to move a lever/control.)

spuggy · 12-30-2007, 05:04 AM

Yeh, I noticed recently that the dash control "cables" aren't available without the dash control... Although my ventilation issue turned out to be something else...

Trouble with the heater "cables" is that they're not cables like used on most bicycles or motorcycles, they're Bowden cables, more like piano wire...

They need to push as well as pull (at least in the dash control/vent control application), and cables can only really pull (they can "push" a tiny amount but nothing significant).

If the lawnmower throttle cable is solid, that could work.

Or, I noticed recently that the "cable" that attaches to the hood release handle looks to be a similar diameter to the heater "cables", and solid (I had a used locking one, and used the cable end to fish a wrench out from down the side of the gas tank).

Looks like it's still available from our host (part #28):

http://www.pelicanparts.com/PartsLookup/HTML/911T_USA_KATALOG/803-00-Frame3.htm

Maybe you could cut this down to the desired length? Certainly cheaper than a complete dash control - and sometimes used parts are not available the day you want them

javadog · 12-30-2007, 05:06 AM

There are a couple 911s being parted out at the moment. Take a look at the used parts board.

JR

Poor-sche Lover · Poor-sche Lover's Garage

Well, I tried a different lawnmower throttle cable, and it seems to be working. I think the problem was getting it locked into the lever without bending it and losing its structural integrity. I just got it from Home Depot. It's not quite as strong as the original cable, but it'll work.

I also attempted to use the cables from my 914, but they were too short. That would have been too easy. I don't know about I also tried my hood cable from the 914. It was too soft to push at all. The problem isn't the diameter. It's the strength. Those cables are VERY stiff. Anything you can find at the hardware store is soft steel.

On a side note, Mo_Gearhead, where exactly are you located? I'm in SE Kansas, and I'm having an awful lot of difficulty finding anybody local who knows about these cars. You can PM or e-mail me if you like. Thanks.

javadog · 12-30-2007, 12:42 PM

I'm from Tulsa and I'd wager you won't find many people in your part of Kansas that know much about a 911. If you are willing to drive to Tulsa, I can help you out.

JR

LM3929 · 01-01-2008, 01:42 PM

What lenght do you need?

gsmith660 · 01-01-2008, 03:43 PM

Just made a fresh air cable out of a lawnmower throttle cable I had laying around covered it with shrink tube and cant tell it from the factory cables.

Poor-sche Lover · Poor-sche Lover's Garage

So as to avoid confusion, I DID get the lawnmower cable to work. I just had to do it twice because I bent the first one, thereby ruining its pushing ability. Thanks for the offers/suggestions, though.

Dennis Kalma · Dennis Kalma's Garage

One place to check is at a good radio controlled model airplane shop. They regularly use piano wire for control surface actuation. They sell the piano wire and usually will sell tools to bend the "Z" shape required to fit it to the servo or the control surface horn. While I have not done so for a few years, it was easy to do and they have a number of other alternatives

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0095p?FVPROFIL=++&FVSEARCH=piano+wire&search=Go

It is also called music wire and comes in all sorts of diameters. There are also solder on clevises that I figure would be a good idea at some point....

Dennis

Walt Fricke · 01-03-2008, 02:47 PM

I guess I am dating myself when I think of this kind of cable as "choke" cable. You can still get these - I use them for remote actuation of cut-off switches and fire bottle actuation, though that is a pull rather than a combination push/pull motion.

Walt Fricke

Forza · Forza's Garage

I'm dealing with the same issue right now. Anyone know what diameter wire is needed for the ventilation control air diverter cable? The piano wire seems like it could work, as long as the diamter were similar.

tseybold · 03-13-2010, 08:14 PM

I may have some extra one from my 80SC If you want send me a PM with the length.
I know I have an extra complete set!!

Vmarch · 03-15-2010, 06:24 AM

Call a recycler and get a good used matching lever control panel with all cables. You can then lube the cable housings and levers as well as servicing the fan switch contained within the control panel. I just replaced my entire assembly and at the same time rebuilt the fresh air dampers with new rubber flappers and a new fan. Do it once all together and do it right. Don't forget to replace the plenum cowl seal.