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tmckinn
Samba Member
Joined: February 11, 2003
Posts: 77
Location: Kirkland, WA
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 Posted: Thu Feb 20, 2003 6:12 pm Post subject: Welding Advice |
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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. |
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tmckinn
Samba Member
Joined: February 11, 2003
Posts: 77
Location: Kirkland, WA
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Air-Cooled Head
Samba Member
Joined: October 15, 2002
Posts: 4070
Location: Chicago Suburbs
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| Posted: Thu Feb 20, 2003 7:38 pm Post subject: Welding Advice |
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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. |
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j.pickens
Samba Member
Joined: December 03, 2002
Posts: 9831
Location: Exit 7, New Jersey
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| Posted: Thu Feb 20, 2003 8:05 pm Post subject: Welding Advice |
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| 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! |
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j.pickens
Samba Member
Joined: December 03, 2002
Posts: 9831
Location: Exit 7, New Jersey
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| Posted: Thu Feb 20, 2003 8:09 pm Post subject: Welding Advice |
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| 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... |
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Air-Cooled Head
Samba Member
Joined: October 15, 2002
Posts: 4070
Location: Chicago Suburbs
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| Posted: Thu Feb 20, 2003 10:52 pm Post subject: Welding Advice |
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| 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! |
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j.pickens
Samba Member
Joined: December 03, 2002
Posts: 9831
Location: Exit 7, New Jersey
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| Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2003 5:32 pm Post subject: Welding Advice |
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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. |
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