Bunched up clutch cable sheath-Feedback

I lost use of my clutch instantly on a shift from 3rd to 4th. After the failure I couldn't shift into any gear. I could however put it into gear with the engine off-start engine-then limp along. Has anyone experienced this before? Only the last 1" of clutch depression gave any pull in the clutch lever. The internal cable had lots of play.

Here is a pic of the cable ends-the right side is the end which attaches to the clutch lever-shows heat damage from the exhaust. The left side looks bunched up. The spiral sheath (on the right)shows damage but the more critical (parallel to cable length) sheath doesn't seem damaged.

http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq359/wessbecher/clutchcable002.jpg?t=1225484465

Here is a pic of the mounting point at the firewall-Does anyone else have the aluminum spacer? I'm wondering of the cable had issues before I owned the car and someone used this as a jerry-rig to take up the difference of the "bunch up" which may have been taking place before this latest failure.
http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq359/wessbecher/clutchcable003.jpg?t=1225484919

Anyone with the same problem? Will just a new cable solve the issue. Is this a Ford part and does anyone have the Part #? Do you guys use an aluminum foil protector cover near the exhaust?

The good news was that David from Hooked on Driving lent me his Panoz for 2 runs and a buddy of mine lent me his car for the last 2 runs. Great group of guys!

I always cary a spare cable... yes it's a Ford part put I have an upgraded Steeda one should this one ever fail. Mine is wrapped in a fire sheath type of product.

So you're saying this is a recurring problem? Do you have the P/N for the aftermarket one-source location?

No PN... but I know it's a stock mustang clutch cable. I have a good buddy who works at a road race mustang shop (www.performanceautosport.com (http://www.performanceautosport.com)) and he got me the clutch cable from their inventory. It's what he uses in their race cars. Apparently the issue is from heat/age. My CC is in a firesleeve type of material... it's gray in color and covers the cable from the firewall to the clutch lever thing at the othe rend.

Here you can see my clutch cable in the gray sleeve material just under the air intake running by the hood support...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v627/cobra4b/Panoz%20GTRA/DSCF1227.jpg

Just a heat and old age issue. I don't think its a stock cable because a stock cable does not have an adjustment nut at the clutch fork end like most aftermarket cables have. Go to Mustangs Unlimited and do a search for clutch cables. You will find a large assortment. A spare cable should be on your spares to take to the track list.

David

Went to Ford (can't find anything without a P/N or car model/year.) Went to local speed shop-all special order-nothing in stock to match it to-Can anyone look at your spare cable and pull off a P/N? Mine is definitely Aftermarket-only says "Made in Taiwan". Sounds like a common replacement part if recommended to have a spare.

Hey guys-I'm going to the track on Friday morning. Still don't have a P/N for a replacement. Can someone check their cable for a P/N? I think they are usually labeled-mine (clearly an aftermarket unit)is not.

Hey guys-I'm going to the track on Friday morning. Still don't have a P/N for a replacement. Can someone check their cable for a P/N? I think they are usually labeled-mine (clearly an aftermarket unit)is not.

_________

Wess, this is what I carry around as my spare. Ordered directly from AmericanMuscle.com
Ordered: 1 x 16159 Steeda Clutch Adjuster Kit (83-95 V8) $99.95
Ordered: 1 x 16018 Steeda Double Hook Quadrant (82-04) $0.00
Ordered: 1 x 16019 Steeda Firewall Cable Adjuster (79-04) $0.00
Ordered: 1 x 16158 Steeda Adjustable Clutch Cable (79-95 V8) $0.00

Thanks for the feedback. In case someone needs it in the future. I ordered the clutch cable from Summit. Ford Motorsport P/N M-7553-C302. Cost $42.00

Panoz26-My Ford Motorsport cable just arrived-the Steeda shown on the website looks to be a better quality part-roughly twice the cost-I'll see how long mine lasts. Thanks for the info.

Panoz26-My Ford Motorsport cable just arrived-the Steeda shown on the website looks to be a better quality part-roughly twice the cost-I'll see how long mine lasts. Thanks for the info.

The Steeda kit looks pretty strong -- I was actually thinking about replacing the one I have in with it and use the old one as my spare. :tongue:

Good idea. If you take it off consider a heat shield sleeve. The heat from the header is definitely what did mine in. I slipped on and safety wire tied on some distributor cable heat sleeves.

I've got a Steeda one as a spare... but it was about $50 from my buddy if I remember correctly. Check out www.performanceautosport.com (http://www.performanceautosport.com) and see what they'll sell it for.