Need longer clutch cable?

Ghost001

New Member
Dec 9, 2002
398
1
0
California
Hello,

For some reason, none of the OEM or aftermarket clutch cables seem to be long enough for my 88 LX 5.0L.

That is, when I install the cable, the clutch fork is not at the back of the hole in the tranny housing, when my foot is off of the clutch pedal. It's lifted off by an inch or so.

The clutch fork is supposed to be at the back of the hole in the tranny housing, when my foot is off the clutch pedal, isn't it?

My stang has a stock engine and tranny.

I have the Maximum Motorsports clutch quadrant, and the Fiore firewall adjuster. The firewall adjuster is in all the way, and I still have this problem.

I have tried the OEM cable, and various aftermarket cables that are supposed to be for my car (Pep Boys, Kragen).

I had to dremel 1 or 2 inches off of the clutch quadrant, where the cable attaches to the quadrant, just so the clutch fork would reach all the way to the back of the hole in the tranny housing.

Does anyone know of a clutch cable, perhaps for a different Ford model or year, that would be 1 or 2 inches longer in its travel, and would fit my car? I have a Fiore quadrant, which I'd like to use, but the cable needs to be 1 or 2 inches longer.

Or, perhaps, is the clutch fork supposed to be lifted off of the back of the hole in the tranny housing, even if my foot is off of the clutch cable?

I've heard that there's supposed to be a little bit of tension in the cable, but enough tension to lift the fork an inch off of the back of the hole in the tranny housing? The cable already has tension, even with the fork at the back of the hole in the tranny housing. Lifting the fork an inch off the back of the hole in the tranny housing seems excessive. However, I'm no expert on this subject.

I've also heard that the clutch pedal should be an inch above the brake pedal. If the fork is at the back of the hole in the tranny housing, then the clutch pedal is an inch above the brake pedal, and everything seems to work fine. The clutch disengages fully, and engages when my foot is off of the clutch pedal.

EDIT: I'd get an adjustable clutch cable, but I've heard that they break often.

P.S.: My clutch fork makes a mild squeaking sound when I push on the clutch pedal. Is that normal, or relevant to the above problem? I can't hear the squeaking, unless the car is stopped, and I'm in a silent area, like my garage.

EDIT 2: The "OEM" clutch cable that I tried, was the Maximum Motorsports "Universal Ford OEM 1982-04" cable. The MM cable is a bit longer than the Pep Boys and Kragen cables, but it's still pulling the fork about an inch in front of the back of the hole in the tranny housing, if I try to use the Fiore quadrant.

EDIT 3: By "length of the cable", I mean the length of the cable minus the length of the sheath, of course.
 
  • Sponsors (?)


you want your cable to be touching the fork but not putting any tension on it. when properly adjusted it should engage/disengage about halfway up. you'll know when its right, at least on my car, i can feel when its adjusted right.

try the maximum motorsports universal cable. i just put one on my car and its a great cable, its also longer too. its alot better cable than the parts stores (crap) and the various adjustable cables.
 
you want your cable to be touching the fork but not putting any tension on it. when properly adjusted it should engage/disengage about halfway up. you'll know when its right, at least on my car, i can feel when its adjusted right.

try the maximum motorsports universal cable. i just put one on my car and its a great cable, its also longer too. its alot better cable than the parts stores (crap) and the various adjustable cables.

My mistake. The "OEM" clutch cable that I tried, was the Maximum Motorsports "Universal Ford OEM 1982-04" cable.

The MM cable is a bit longer than the Pep Boys and Kragen cables, but it's still pulling the fork about an inch in front of the back of the hole in the tranny housing, if I try to use the Fiore quadrant.