Fire wall crack

[Project79spider]

Hi all, I'm a new member and have something to share. Driving around town in my 79 spider I heard a pop at my clutch pedal and lost full peddle travel. I thought I lost a few strands of my clutch cable but after I (abused my clutch) got it back home I found the fire wall cracked and the entire reinforced area around the cable entry point of the fire wall pulled into the passenger compartment. It cracked from the speedometer cable port and tore metal in the other direction. I think I can fix it but has anyone ever heard of this happening before? No corrosion or any indication of previous damage.

[narfire]

It has happened to several members here. The clutch cable does not slide in the sheath very well and then stress is on the firewall at the hole.
You'll need a new clutch cable, remove the brake resevoir and some wet towels under the crack and inside as you do your best to spot weld the metal together. Then take another piece of metal and weld that over the area..."fish-plate" might be what it is called. I had a parts car and cut out that little section on the fire wall and welded it over the offending crack.

[So Cal Mark]

really common if you drive with a binding cable for any length of time

[Project79spider]

Wow, I had no idea. And thanks for the repair tip! I wish I would have known about this web site about a dozen problems ago.

[vandor]

A common cause for this is poor engine to body ground. The starter then grounds through the clutch cable, which eventually starts failing and becomes stiff.