shn7 Posted September 7, 2006 Share Posted September 7, 2006 My K series (non VVC) has the VVC plenum fitted. The rearmost inlet underneath this get in the way a bit of the clutch cable as it exits the pedal box. The end result it that they have rubbed against each other to the extent that I fear in the future either the cable will fail or it will erode a hole in the underside of the inlet tract. Does anyone else have this problem or have a good solution? It's close enough to the pedal box that there seems no scope for ty-wrapping the cable down to prevent the rubbing without perhaps causing drag on the clutch actuation. Is there a VVC specific clutch cable perhaps? Steve. Not forgetting Percy the Polar Bear Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myles Posted September 7, 2006 Share Posted September 7, 2006 I went through this 18 months ago (before giving up - for different reasons - underbonnet/chassis-rail clearance on a race chassis). Anyway, CC told me at the time that TADTS and that there *wasn't* a specific cable. What you can try (as a temporary solution - and assuming that the cable will die before the plenum) is to wrap a couple of zip-tiles around the cable (connected to nothing) just where the cable touches the plenum - this will protect it for a while and the plastic should be less abrasive than the metal coil of the outer cable jacket... 🙆🏻 🙆🏻 🙆🏻 🙆🏻 🙆🏻 Alcester Racing 7's Equipe™ 🙆🏻 🙆🏻 🙆🏻 🙆🏻 🙆🏻 Alcester-Racing-Sevens.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shn7 Posted September 7, 2006 Author Share Posted September 7, 2006 Thanks Myles. Glad to know it's not just me at least. Will try the cable tie idea. Steve. Not forgetting Percy the Polar Bear Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old captain slow Posted September 7, 2006 Share Posted September 7, 2006 I just picked up a clutch cable from Redline that's reportedly a VVC one. It lacks the large nuts at the pedal box end and this is supposed to give more clearance. Haven't fitted it yet. There is also a bespoke chassis brace that replaces the one under the plennum. It's got a dimple in it to give clearance to the plennum. I'm fitting that this weekend. C7 CDW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grubbster Posted September 7, 2006 Share Posted September 7, 2006 Mine did the same Steve, I think how it is routed now is OK though - must meet up soon Roadsport build photo's here Le Mans 2004 photo's here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shn7 Posted September 7, 2006 Author Share Posted September 7, 2006 David, Would you be able to supply any pictures of your installation with the new bits. Part Numbers? Grubbster, Yes indeed we must. If you want a blat over here I'm doing a tank swap for Keith H on Sat.16th. All day in the garage I expect. Steve. Not forgetting Percy the Polar Bear Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myles Posted September 7, 2006 Share Posted September 7, 2006 There is also a bespoke chassis brace that replaces the one under the plennum. It's got a dimple in it to give clearance to the plennum. I'm fitting that this weekend. That was the killer-blow for me. My race-chassis doesn't have removable braces - so I couldn't lower the engine enough to get it under the bonnet - whilst clearing the brace at the same time... Shame - I spent a lot of time fettling the plenum here. It's still for sale if: i) You can wait an indeterminate length of time until I travel the 300 miles to where it is located. ii) You don't mind it looking somewhat less shiny than in the pics - it's been sitting in a dampish cellar for over a year - just cosmetic corrosion - nothing of issue. 🙆🏻 🙆🏻 🙆🏻 🙆🏻 🙆🏻 Alcester Racing 7's Equipe™ 🙆🏻 🙆🏻 🙆🏻 🙆🏻 🙆🏻 Alcester-Racing-Sevens.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Support Team Shaun_E Posted September 8, 2006 Support Team Share Posted September 8, 2006 I had a similar problem with by Bernard Scouse airbox. The solution for me was to put 3 washers under the driver's side engine mount to raise the engine a little on that side. This might work for you although by the sounds of Myles' problems it is then possible the plenum will foul the bonnet. Yellow SL #32 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shn7 Posted September 8, 2006 Author Share Posted September 8, 2006 Shaun, I think you're correct about me then suffering Myles problem wrt the top of the plenum fouling the bonnet so that's not a solution for me. Steve. Not forgetting Percy the Polar Bear Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old captain slow Posted September 8, 2006 Share Posted September 8, 2006 I think what others have done if you search the other threads is mill a few mm off the mating surface on the top chamber. A small amount (.5mm) can also be won by using a thin smear of gasket goo between the mating surfaces rather than the gasket, and another mm or so can be won by filing off the top highest edge of the plennum chamber. You can also ease the bonnet a little (ie bend it) to give a bit more clearance but you have to be very careful how you do it so it doesn't show. I stretched mine using a flat piece of softwood but marked the bonnet in one spot by using a too narrow piece at first. A piece of floor boarding about 6 inches wide worked a treat leaving no marks, but the initial damage was already done unfortunately. I assume you know about the VVC RH engine mount available form Caterham? It drops the engine a large amount to clear the bonnet but then you do need the dimpled cross brace. If yours is the race chassis so you can't replace the brace, it's possible to win a bit of clearance by shaving a couple of mm off the exisitng RH engine mount, but you would have to be careful not to weaken the weld at that point. C7 CDW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Howe Posted September 8, 2006 Share Posted September 8, 2006 Steve, becauseI have a similar sort of problem clearing my filter sausage, I am going to switch to using a hydraulic clutch "cable". That is when CC have them back in stock... JH Deliveries by Saffron, the yellow 230bhp Sausage delivery machine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shn7 Posted September 8, 2006 Author Share Posted September 8, 2006 Not sure I want the hassle of going hydraulic John. I think what I really need is a cable with a much shorter ferrule at the pedal box end. I think it's this that is limiting the flex in the cable and means I can't easily secure it away from the inlet. The "VVC Clutch Cable" from Redline that DavidW mentioned may well be the thing I need. David, would you be able to supply a photo of the pedal end of the cable (even before installation)? Steve. Not forgetting Percy the Polar Bear Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shn7 Posted September 8, 2006 Author Share Posted September 8, 2006 Forgot to add that lowering the engine isn't really an option as this would cause the dry sump pulley to foul the steering column. Steve. Not forgetting Percy the Polar Bear Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ewenm Posted September 8, 2006 Share Posted September 8, 2006 I have a dry sumped VVC in mine and hit the same problem. Our solution was to cut about 1cm off the threaded brass bit of the clutch cable (don't cut the cable!) so the curve is much gentler past the plenum. Project BUMBLEBEE lives on! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shn7 Posted September 8, 2006 Author Share Posted September 8, 2006 Seems like a nice simply idea. And cheap too 😬 Steve. Not forgetting Percy the Polar Bear Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ewenm Posted September 8, 2006 Share Posted September 8, 2006 Yes, it seems to work fine, clutch is still nice and light (well, relatively). I must get hold of another cable though and cut it down so I have a spare, just in case... Project BUMBLEBEE lives on! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old captain slow Posted September 8, 2006 Share Posted September 8, 2006 Steve, I'll see if I can email you a pic tomorrow as I'm out tonight. Blatmail your email address to me as you can't send attachments via the blatchat route. C7 CDW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shn7 Posted September 8, 2006 Author Share Posted September 8, 2006 DW YHM Steve. Not forgetting Percy the Polar Bear Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old captain slow Posted September 9, 2006 Share Posted September 9, 2006 Steve YHM back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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