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Cable Clutch

  • Thread starter Thread starter sj9ers
  • Start date Start date May 11, 2009
S

sj9ers

Member
May 19, 2007
71
0
7
May 11, 2009
#1
  • May 11, 2009
  • #1
So I'm going to be installing a cable clutch in my 69 mustang with a t5 in a couple weeks. I'm going to be trying to make my own using this clutch cable from Summit Summit SUM-700101 - Summit® Adjustable Clutch Cables . I have long tubes and I've heard all the problems with cables melting, but I was wondering if anybody actually found a way to keep the cable from melting?
 
2

2+2GT

10 Year Member
Apr 25, 2009
3,333
10
79
Southeastern Pennsylvania
May 11, 2009
#2
  • May 11, 2009
  • #2
sj9ers said:
So I'm going to be installing a cable clutch in my 69 mustang with a t5 in a couple weeks. I'm going to be trying to make my own using this clutch cable from Summit Summit SUM-700101 - Summit® Adjustable Clutch Cables . I have long tubes and I've heard all the problems with cables melting, but I was wondering if anybody actually found a way to keep the cable from melting?
Click to expand...

You could wrap it with the same stuff intended to insulate headers, and of course you could wrap the headers, but the best would be to use steel eye straps to bolt the cable in place so it can't get close enough to melt the casing.
 

tx65coupe

Active Member
Nov 29, 1999
1,551
1
37
May 15, 2009
#3
  • May 15, 2009
  • #3
I would just buy a clutch cable kit from Modern Driveline, Mustang Steve, etc.
 
C

Calponycarsmike

New Member
Jan 22, 2009
71
0
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Southern California
May 15, 2009
#4
  • May 15, 2009
  • #4
The kits are not the costly and come with everything you need.
 

golf4283

Active Member
May 30, 2003
1,253
1
39
Orland Park, Illinois
May 15, 2009
#5
  • May 15, 2009
  • #5
Actually that cable looks exactly like the one the MustangSteve conversion uses. I'm gonna save that link for if mine ever melts.
 
S

sj9ers

Member
May 19, 2007
71
0
7
May 19, 2009
#6
  • May 19, 2009
  • #6
I would have used the modern driveline setup, but I have hooker headers and it won't clear them and I don't want to spend $400 or more just for headers that will clear the clutch cable. I was wondering if heat reflective shielding would work and if anybody has tried it?
 

Rusty67

20+ Year Stangneter
Dec 3, 2002
3,749
37
109
LA, CA
May 19, 2009
#7
  • May 19, 2009
  • #7
Maximum Motorsport has done a lot of testing on aftermarket cables and found that none of them compair to the quality of a stock 5.0 cable.

Just something to consider.
 
V

v8only

Active Member
Jul 3, 2003
2,378
22
49
May 19, 2009
#8
  • May 19, 2009
  • #8
that cable you linked is the fox adjustable cable. yes it's the cable mustangsteve uses.

It's also too short. If you use that cable, and route it properly so it doesn't bind, you'll be burning it up bad on #5 cylinder up front. If you route it shorter,...behind #8 and down towards the steering box, it'll bind it up.

I discovered this cable
Ford Racing M-7553-E302 - Ford Racing Clutch Linkage Upgrade Kits and Accessories

it's the longer 96+ cable. it worked 100% with my mustang steve quadrant. Straight up bolt on in place of the shorter fox cable that was on it. Now I can route it WAY past the headers up top. It doesn't even come close. If you're using the mustang steve quadrant, you HAVE to use an adj cable. He designed the radius too long on the quadrant to be able to use a factory non adj cable.

This is the above cable with the mustang steve quadrant. I'm all in the clear up top.




Now, the main issue with clutch cable install is that the cable actually HITS the pipe down below where it goes into the fork. You'll find that nearly all of the long tube headers out there all pass right in front of the mounting point for the bell. As a result...they hit/rub the tubes and melt. I burnt through my first cable in less than 5 miles...Some are able to pull the cable away from the headers with a zip tie..but that results in kinking the cable and premature cable failure.

If you want the cable setup to work, you MUST have proper clearance at the bell. The only headers that I've heard that are CHEAP and are supposed to have clearance at the bell are the hedman 88660 headers. However, these are for 351 cars. You can run them on a 302 car but they'll sit lower...which could be an issue for some.

I run the hedman 88300's on my 66 mustang..and the cable hit. I took the car into my friend and had him cut and relocate one tube.

The resulting effect was that I have a straight shot into the bell housing now with no kinking and no zip ties.

It does come pretty close to the two pipes but it does NOT TOUCH!!!!. I'm hoping between the heat reflective tape that I'm using, and a spark plug boot that I am going to wrap around the cable..that I'll have no issues.

with my setup as you see it the clutch pedal is so light I can depress it with my hand.



 

golf4283

Active Member
May 30, 2003
1,253
1
39
Orland Park, Illinois
May 20, 2009
#9
  • May 20, 2009
  • #9
I have the heddman headers as well. I'll have to see which ones I have in my '66 cause my cable comes nowhere near the headers. I also have it routed through the fender apron on the drivers side so that could be it too. I'll snap some pics and post them up.
 
V

v8only

Active Member
Jul 3, 2003
2,378
22
49
May 20, 2009
#10
  • May 20, 2009
  • #10
I'd LOVE some pictures...especially of the cable near the bell
 

golf4283

Active Member
May 30, 2003
1,253
1
39
Orland Park, Illinois
May 20, 2009
#11
  • May 20, 2009
  • #11
I gotta pickup my car at the driveshaft shop today. I'll snap some when I get home.
 
V

v8only

Active Member
Jul 3, 2003
2,378
22
49
May 20, 2009
#12
  • May 20, 2009
  • #12
fantastic.

Hey, does one of your headers loop UP toward the valve cover?? I think it's #8 or something...I've seen where the 88660's have one of the tubes route up in a loop then down.
 

golf4283

Active Member
May 30, 2003
1,253
1
39
Orland Park, Illinois
May 20, 2009
#13
  • May 20, 2009
  • #13
Again I don't have the car around so I will just have to take some pictures when I get it home.
 
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