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Registered
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Port Angeles, WA
Posts: 77
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Clutch Tube Fixed, Yipppee!
Last Friday on my way home from work the clutch tube broke loose at the forward end too (I bought the car with the rear end held in place with a hose clamp). Prior to that shifting got rapidly worse, but I figured, if I ignore that, it will fix itself.
 Instead of driving to the Seattle breakfast I printed out the PP tech article on the subject and searched the archive. Yesterday, I cut three 2 inch holes into the tunnel using a woodworking hole saw. Found the tube, pulled it back into its place and clamped it. Not taking chances, I shoved wet rags into the tunnel to protect the fuel lines, pulled the safety pin on the fire extingusher, turned the garden hose on and programmed the fire department on the speed dial. I welded once in 25 years and qualify as a www (Worlds Worst Welders). It took me a while to find the balance between burning holes in the floor and the metal not sticking but I eventually got the job done. Snaked the cable back i and hooked the clutch up. Whowza, what a difference! While I was at it I replaced the plastic bushings in the shift linkage and the reverse lockout plate. I think, I well deserved the alcoholic beverage that followed.   
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04-24-2003, 08:04 AM
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Registered
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: Hickory NC USA
Posts: 2,502
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Congrats on the project.
Good thinking also to protect yourself from an expected BBQ.
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'75 914-6 3.2 (Track Car) '81 SC 3.6 (Beast) '993 Cab (Almost Done Restoring) |
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04-24-2003, 11:02 AM
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Registered
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Port Angeles, WA
Posts: 77
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Just got back from a 2 hr testdrive on winding Hwy112 along the coast. The difference in shifting is unbelievable. I did not hear any grinding at all.
Before, I was convinced I need to rebuild the tranny. I bought a bad one cheap on ebay, took it apart for practise and put it back together. Then I took it apart again and saved the gears which were in excellent shape. I'll probably still pull the back cover off the tranny and look at the first gear (which is easy to do) but it is not a priority. Next on the programm is replacing the rings. Neal |
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04-24-2003, 05:36 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: My House
Posts: 5,345
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How long did it take you to bore out those holes?
Very nice pictures too - I appreciate them as this is something I believe I must do soon.
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-The Mikester I heart Boobies |
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04-24-2003, 05:39 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Port Angeles, WA
Posts: 77
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Mike,
I used an old 2 1/4 holesaw and it took less than one minute per hole. Don't drill the forward hole to close to the drivers side edge or you might nick the throttle tube. Like the greek god Nike said: Just Do It! Neal |
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04-24-2003, 06:42 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Wilson, NC
Posts: 59
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Good job Neal! I know EXACTLY how you feel...I just finished the same tube repair this past week. I was not brave enough to try the welding myself. Got a friend at a local body shop to bring his MIG welder by. He spot welded the front and rear and I even put in a clamp for insurance. We had plenty of beers...after the welding! Put it back together this weekend and it shifts great. I used a Dremel tool with the cutting wheel attached and it made quick work of opening up the tunnel. Cut it on three sides and folded up to get at the broken welds. Simply folded back down and covered with carpet when finished.
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75 Sunflower Yellow 2.0 |
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04-27-2003, 04:58 AM
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