What Clutch Cable?

[A2TheA 0]

i have recently swapped my 1.6 gti engine for a mi16 engine 1.9

 

this is a question about which clutch cable do i need? im running a be3 1.6 box.

 

i have bought the two sizes of 205 clutch cables but neither seem to fit they are both too short even though i had my old clutch cable fitted fom the 1.6 engine which fitted¬! is this because it has stretched over time?

 

why do the other two not fit?

 

Thanks

Aaron

[DrSarty 90 1 Cars]

Many of us have been there.

 

It's most likely caused by you having a BE3 gearbox and maybe a BE1 clutch pedal.

 

This is why my clutch cable snapped (in an Italian traffic jam) on the EuroTrip. Graham made an immaculate, professional bodge which is still going strong, but really I should swap my pedal for a BE3 pedal so the correct off the shelf cable fits.

 

Hope that helps.

[A2TheA 0]

wow that was fast. i will look into this thanks rich.

 

but the cable just isnt long enough so how will the pedal effect the length?

Edited September 30, 2009 by A2TheA

[Anthony 1,003]

What age/reg is the car? Assuming it's a 90/G reg or later, it should be full BE3 (ie pedal, gearbox, servo) as standard from the factory, in which case a standard RHD BE3 cable (from GSF, Peugeot etc) will fit just fine.

 

Should be easy enough to check that you've got the correct cable by verifying that both ends are the same on the new cable as they are on the old broken cable, and that both appear to be approximately the same length.

[A2TheA 0]

its an F reg 89 model.

 

one of the cables i have is slightly shorter than the other. i have checked the length of them both against the old cable and one it of the right size the other is slightly shorter.

 

the diagrams on service box for both types of clutch pedal are exactly the same which is no help. lucky enough my brother owns a later model so i can compare clutch pedals.

 

even though the old cable is the same length as one of the new ones why doesnt it fit?

Edited September 30, 2009 by A2TheA

[DrSarty 90 1 Cars]

If your gear lever hasn't been changed and it has the 'lift-up' sleeve or collar then that means you'll have a BE1 pedal.

 

All I know is is that this was the cause of my problem, getting f*cked off why any number of clutch cables from GSF wouldn't fit properly, being too short and tight.

 

I'm not sure of the explanation TBH, but I'm sure that's the fix, i.e. pedal swap.

[Anthony 1,003]

its an F reg 89 model.

If it's an 89/F then it probably would be the same as mine from the factory - a BE1 pedal and gearbox, and a BE3 servo/bulkhead fitting.

 

This setup used a different cable to most of the BE1 models and to the BE3 models, and I noticed has been removed from the GSF part listings recently.

 

Obviously in your case you had a BE3 gearbox, but possibly you still have the BE1 pedal - which would fit with Sarty's comments above. If your car has been hacked about from standard it's difficult to say why the cable you have doesn't fit and the old (unknown source/type) one does, but my recommendation would be to stick a BE3 pedal on there and then - together with the gearbox you already have - you should have a full BE3 setup and a standard BE3 cable fits and works fine.

 

That's what I've done on my own 205 btw after swapping the original BE1 gearbox for a BE3.

[DrSarty 90 1 Cars]

Good luck finding a BE3 pedal. Rocking horse s*it they seem to be of late.

[Alastairh 47]

Surely any late base models are suitable donors? If so, i have a handful down the local scrappy...

[Anthony 1,003]

Good luck finding a BE3 pedal. Rocking horse s*it they seem to be of late.

They're ten a penny - scrappies near me almost always have late 205/309 diesels in them, and they use a BE3 pedal too. Doesn't have to be from a GTi at all, just any 205/309 with a BE3 gearbox.

 

Hell, if people are having that much problems finding BE3 pedals, I'll grab a load next time I'm there.

[DrSarty 90 1 Cars]

Surely any late base models are suitable donors? If so, i have a handful down the local scrappy...

 

Get one for me will you Al please?

[A2TheA 0]

well in that case i now need a BE3 pedal. would you be so kind as to scavenge one for me al and send it up? i will pay you for your labour of course. the scrappies around me have recently got rid of all old cars and only stock 95 and youngs. why i do not know.