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Thu Feb 20, 2003 6:12 pm

I'm planning on installing a clutch cable (something I've been avoiding for a number of years). Need to do a couple of welds in the tunnel. Should I use Arc or Mig? Does it matter (just not acetylene, right?) I can rent an Arc (170 amps) for $35/day. Or I could buy a Harbor Freight special like this one http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=40388

Any experience with the Harbor Freight welders? Are they too light weight and disappointing? Thanks.

Thu Feb 20, 2003 6:16 pm

whoops - meant to use this link instead http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=32197

Thu Feb 20, 2003 7:38 pm

I'd rent. Arc welding won't come in handy in many VW applications (Too hot). Don't forget your fuel line is in there too!
When I did this, it was damned difficult to weld the tube behind the e-brake. (Made the opening too small for my hand & MIG gun. Plus, gas line, e-brake & heat control cables are right there.) So of course it came loose in a day or so. To fix, I welded a piece of square tubing onto the cable tube at 90 degree angle. Then drill hole through tunnel wall. Run stovebolt through hole & square tube and secure w/ washer & nut. I'll NEVER have to worry about that again.

Thu Feb 20, 2003 8:05 pm

I assume you're doing this in order to convert an autostick car to manual tranny. When I did this to a '70 Karmann Ghia, I found that while the ghia had no clutch cable tube, it DID have the little bracket in the tunnel near the E-brake opening where the factory tube gets welded. It also had a matching hole at the rear of the tunnel where the tube was to emerge. All I did was use copper 3/8" plumbing tubing which I snaked through the hole, and used two hose clamps to clamp it to the bracket. I then pulled the tubing real taught from the rear and put another hose clamp around the tube to hold it into the tunnel. Then I cut it to match the correct factory placement of the end of the tube near the tranny, installed the cable and flexible cable guide, and it worked. No welding needed!

Thu Feb 20, 2003 8:09 pm

Just going from memory, as I did this operation in 1981, 22 years ago! But I think the bracket was probably not near the E-brake opening, but was near the pedal cluster opening. 22 years! The stuff that rolls around in your brain...

Thu Feb 20, 2003 10:52 pm

On my 70, it was a JP describes, bracket just behind the e-brake. But man! After all that trouble to cut into the tunnel, I wanted to WELD!

Fri Feb 21, 2003 5:32 pm

Thanks for the reminder AirCooled.
I did my installation without cutting anything.
It was a bitch to get the tubing in there and securely attached, though.