Is the clutch helper spring supposed to rest on the heat exchanger

[TargaEuro]

Im still in the process of replacing my clutch cable and rebuilding the clutch arm and doing all the necesary upgrades/repairs etc. every time I try to tension the new helper spring it rest up against the heat exchanger. Is this normal? I have SSI's on it. Its always done this since Ive owned the car but now I want it to be right. With the exchanger off the spring wont hold the proper tension either. Im using all new parts I got from Pelican and Stoddard so I know there good quality. Anyone have any ideas what may be wrong. I have all the factory manuals but I cant seem to find anything in there....TargaEuro

[BRAINIAC]

The helper spring arrangement first showed up on the 77 model. Therefore, it was never designed to fit a car with the 74 and earlier style heat exchangers which the SSI's are based on.

This contact really isn't a problem though. The heat exchanger acts as a heat shield for the header pipes inside and has air blown over them constantly. Therefore the spring shouldn't get hot enough to fatigue it.

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Tyson Schmidt
72 911 Cabriolet
92 C-2 Cabriolet

[john walker's workshop]

usually you can bend and reform the lip of the exchanger behind the spring for sufficient clearance. tough to beat on these pretty things, but if you want clearance, that's what they recommend. the top of the pin the spring sits on contacts a small "L" shaped stop (on the other aluminum bracket that the spring swings on) when the clutch release arm is at rest. if it's not there or misaligned, the spring gets closer to, or sits on the exchanger.

[This message has been edited by john walker's workshop (edited 09-29-2001).]

[TargaEuro]

Thanks for the input, Ill have to take another look at the bracket and pin the spring swings on to see if somthings missing from it. From looking at the factory manuals it seems that everything is in order but I may have overlooked something. I beat the exchanger quite a bit and made enough clearence for the spring but something just doesnt seem right, it still made contact with the exchanger. It worked this way before I took it apart but everytime I depressed and released the clutch I could hear the hollow metal to metal sound as the spring hits the exchanger. Ill jump back on it Sunday and see what happens....TargaEuro

[cab83_750]

My 83's spring touches the exchanger.

Actually, it looks like exchanger was 'cut' out a little bit to make room - like using a dremel.

Even with the cutout, it still rest on it!

Good luck!

[TargaEuro]

Maybe its supposed to rest on it. If so that would solve my problem and I could finish the rest of the job and move on to the next project on the list. Thanks for your input....TargaEuro

[TargaEuro]

Figured out what is wrong. The bracket with the pin that bolts up to the trans which holds the springs tension has a piece missing from it. Its an L shaped piece of metal that is screwed on to the bracket. It stops the clutch arm from traveling to far and keeps the proper tension on the spring. The piece had broke off a long time back and all was left were the screws broken ends so the spring should not rest on the exchanger....TargaEuro

[GeorgeK]

When the factory went to the helper spring in 1977, they "modified" the heat exchanger (hit it with a hammer probably for the first ones) to make room for it.
I had that problem when I put a '77 gearbox in my '76 Carrera 3.0.
GeorgeK

[Wayne 962]

Looky here for that replacement part:

http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/shopcart/911M/POR_911M_clutch_pg5.htm#item19

-Wayne