Heater door cable rusted

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rjkoop
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Your car is a: 1981 Fiat Spider
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Heater door cable rusted

Post by rjkoop »

As part of the heater core redo I removed the cables that went from the heater control levers to the heater core vent door, heater valve, etc. I tried lubricating the cable and I'm unable to move the cable back and forth inside the sleeve. Where can I get replacement cables? I was thinking these may be somewhat generic and I can cut to length and the angles the ends the same as before. I didn't see anything on autoricambi.
pgilling

Re: Heater door cable rusted

Post by pgilling »

I am also looking for a replacement heater cable but this is because the wire end attached to the lever snapped due to a seized heater valve. If the original cable (shaped at each end) is not available I was wondering if solid wire was available which I could heat and shape?
narfire
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Re: Heater door cable rusted

Post by narfire »

rjkoop wrote:Where can I get replacement cables

Used?
I'll take a look, I should have several sets kicking about.
Chris
80 FI spider
72 work in progress
2017 Golf R ( APR Stg. 1)
2018 F350 crew long box
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rjkoop
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Re: Heater door cable rusted

Post by rjkoop »

narfire wrote:
rjkoop wrote:Where can I get replacement cables

Used?
I'll take a look, I should have several sets kicking about.
Chris
Chris,
Thanks. Let me know. Right now I used lots lube spray down the cable and we'll see if this frees things up.

Richard
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4uall
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Re: Heater door cable rusted

Post by 4uall »

I have some spare complete units in my garage you can come check out. Another option may be a modified brake/gear cable from a bike shop etc.

Looks like this, yet has all the cables
Image
Jay

Fiona
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ITZEBTZE

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rjkoop
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Re: Heater door cable rusted

Post by rjkoop »

4uall wrote:I have some spare complete units in my garage you can come check out. Another option may be a modified brake/gear cable from a bike shop etc.

Looks like this, yet has all the cables
Image
Jay,
Thanks. I'll let you know. Any thoughts on best place to get an 8mm FI rubber fuel line and clamps?

Richard
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4uall
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Re: Heater door cable rusted

Post by 4uall »

Having done that myself I went to Partsource on Merivale for both :wink: Crappy Tire out in Kanata (I would assume) should have the same stuff
Jay

Fiona
1980 FI 2000 Spider
ITZEBTZE

https://goo.gl/photos/eNKaX7hrXhBu9fmp6

FINN (FN-2187)
2014 Jeep Wrangler Sport
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hayesbd
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Re: Heater door cable rusted

Post by hayesbd »

The only vendor I've found so far that has heater cable is Midwest Bayless:

http://www.midwest-bayless.com/storefro ... 7&c=192483

I could have sworn I saw this earlier at Autoricambi. Csaba?

Hope this helps.

Brian
Current: 1973 124 Spider
Previous: 1961 600D, 1970 850 Racer, 1973 124 Special, 1974 124 Special TC
TX82FIAT
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Location: San Antonio

Re: Heater door cable rusted

Post by TX82FIAT »

while you are in there take a couple extra minutes and lube the flap/door on top of the heater box. I had a cable in good shape but the tension on the line was not enough to force the flap to open and close. Took the cowl off and moved the flap until it would move freely, cleaned and lubed.
Buon giro a tutti! - enjoy the ride!

82 Fiat Spider 2000
03 BMW M3
07 Chevy Suburban
pgilling

Re: Heater door cable rusted

Post by pgilling »

Hello rjkoop, I've just realised that I may be able to use pushrods found in RC model shops or piano wire for my issue. Perhaps you can make replacements by also usinf the sheath that can be bought at cycle shops (Bowden cable) and the ends of the rods could possibly be bent by heating. Therefore you'd have nice new cables. I'm going to try to get some at the weekend then report back!
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manoa matt
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Re: Heater door cable rusted

Post by manoa matt »

I'll second the notion of lubing the heater door flap hinges, that is more likely the problem.

FYI guys and gals I have tons of those cables (used) if anyone needs them. matt.scarton@gmail.com
pgilling

Re: Heater door cable rusted

Post by pgilling »

I bought a piano wire today from a piano restorer, worked a treat and the ends shaped perfectly. It didn't need heating before bending as I just wound the wire around a drill bit. The wire was also vey cheap - he just charged me a couple of pounds for around 4 ft. A really good solution.
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rjkoop
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Re: Heater door cable rusted

Post by rjkoop »

manoa matt wrote:I'll second the notion of lubing the heater door flap hinges, that is more likely the problem.

FYI guys and gals I have tons of those cables (used) if anyone needs them. matt.scarton@gmail.com
I removed the cowl and the heater air flap (2 bolts, came out easily) and the hinge is very difficult to move. I tried lubricating but the hinge is kind of a long bar inside a folded over metal piece (tough to get into). I'm thinking about heating it with a propane torch and trying to open the bent over metal a bit and getting more lube in there. Thoughts?

I wire-wheeled the flap and I'll POR-15 it once I get the hinge lose.
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rjkoop
Posts: 976
Joined: Thu Nov 08, 2012 6:45 am
Your car is a: 1981 Fiat Spider
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Re: Heater door cable rusted

Post by rjkoop »

rjkoop wrote:
manoa matt wrote:I'll second the notion of lubing the heater door flap hinges, that is more likely the problem.

FYI guys and gals I have tons of those cables (used) if anyone needs them. matt.scarton@gmail.com
I removed the cowl and the heater air flap (2 bolts, came out easily) and the hinge is very difficult to move. I tried lubricating but the hinge is kind of a long bar inside a folded over metal piece (tough to get into). I'm thinking about heating it with a propane torch and trying to open the bent over metal a bit and getting more lube in there. Thoughts?

I wire-wheeled the flap and I'll POR-15 it once I get the hinge lose.
Got it! Lots of lubricant and realizing that the flap (where the hinge is inserted) was bent too far in the wrong direction. Put the flap in a bench vice and bent it back into position and now it works great! One less part I have to buy.
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