Throttle Cable Questions

[Timo04]

Hello everyone,

What is the easiest way of replacing the throttle cable? I want to replace the entire length of cable, the sheath ect..from the gas pedal back to the engine bay/carburetor. It seems the access is a bit tight up at the front, under the center console/carpet/gear shifter tunnel cover...any thoughts on this?

Should I disconnect the cable at both ends and extract the entire length out form the back of the car? Then feed in the brand new cable into the 'tube' from the engine bay area? Seems too easy, would this work?

This question should have been asked first:

Outside of the Monte Hospital, where does a Scorpion owner, here in the USA, get a complete brand new throttle cable w/sheath?

Thanks in advance!

All the best,

Tim

[DJ]

Fairly simple, really. There's a hard tube that runs through the tunnel. The forward end is covered with a rubber seal that the cable slips through.

It's just a matter of disconnecting the cable in the engine compartment, pulling out the old cable from the driver-side footwell, then getting your hand up inside the tunnel to feed the cable through the rubber seal, then down the tube.

The only actual sheath on the cable is a short section in the engine compartment. You'll see what I mean when you remove the belly pan and the tunnel cover.

I do seem to remember that I used my Dremel to cut a small piece out of the top of the tunnel to facilitate the job but that was because my old cable was really frayed and was a bitch to get out.

[Timo04]

Thanks so much for the tips DJ.


then getting your hand up inside the tunnel to feed the cable through the rubber seal, then down the tube.

This sounds like the hardest part of the whole job.

All the best,

Tim

[bjmarsh]

Tim,


"Should I disconnect the cable at both ends and extract the entire length out form the back of the car?"

will only come out front the front, since there is an eye on the pedal end of the cable that attaches to the pedal assembly

"Outside of the Monte Hospital, where does a Scorpion owner, here in the USA, get a complete brand new throttle cable w/sheath?"

Don't know of any local source, the (very short) sheath lasts forever so usually just a new cable will do it. TMH needs the money so just order it from them.

It is a tight fit, i had trouble getting the new cable to thread (sight unseen) into the rubber bushing at the front end of the guide tube, finally removed the rubber cap threaded the throttle cable through first then snapped the rubber end cap on the metal guide tube. You might have better luck, but this method worked for me.

It is a tight fit if you have big hands, but it is not all that difficult to do.

Barry

[Scorpionista]

When modifying my car for EFI, I had to replace my throttle cable because it was too short & frayed.

I purchased a new cable inexpensively from a bicycle shop for a tandem road bike. I got the longest one they had in stock for about $10.

It was the same diameter cable as original. You can usually reuse the original plastic/metal coiled sheath section that is attached in the engine compartment.

At pedal end, I placed a barrel end fitting on it, tightened and soldered it for good measure. I didn't want it coming loose under the dash/heater area.

At motor end, I placed another barrel end fitting, adjusted and tightened it.

Barrel end fittings come in various sizes and are easy to match fit for most linkage. Check auto parts or good hardware stores.

[Scott H]

The only thing I will add to what Barry and DJ said is to remove the cable from the throttle linkage on the carb first. The remove the gas pedal before you try to disconnect the cable from it. If the carb end of the cable is frayed I would cut off the bad part so it will slide easier through the housing.

To route the new cable leave the gas pedal out completely and it will give you a little more room to work with. While you have the pedal out check it for play. DJ did a nice write up on how he machined a bushing for his. I did mine last year and have enough parts left over to do a few more. If you want me to repair it let me know. It really makes a nice change and improves the throttle feel considerably.

Scott

[Ed P]

In my many years of selling Lancia parts I wound up have a local shop manufacture me some outer sheaves and inner cables. The nice thing about my Scorpion accel cable was that the inner cable was double the diameter of the original. No more fraying and breaking.

I could still have one made up for you. Email me directly if you are interested.

Ed
pizza-store@hotmail.com
http://www.ItalianCarManuals.com

[Timo04]

Thanks to everyone for the helpful/informative post! I ordered a new cable from TMH, it has been shipped and is supposed to arrive shortly.

[John Allen]

throttle cables from some years of VW Type2 transporters have an eye on them and can be made to work. I say some, because some years used a 'dog-leg' bent section and some used an 'eye'.

If you have a good aircooled VW shop around, check their inventory, you also want the more flexible 'cable' type instead of the cheaper 'wire' type - though either will do the job.