hi guys...

just wondering if anyone might have any documents or web links to how and where to fit the clutch tube in a semi auto chassis tunnel?

I'm got the basic idea, but be good to get specifics of where to cut, weld, recommended guage tubing etc etc. Like a walkthrough of either a 'how to' or even someone elses project where they did it.

I been googling, found some links that sound perfect, and i click on em and it appears the web page isn't there anymore, and they end up being dead links.

can anyone help me?

Cheers fellas,
Best regards,
Christopher Leete.

Isnt the tube already there ? I cant believe they would remove it
just for the semi ,autos ! !

Chris,you need the clutch tube out of a manual pan ,look on the auto forum it might tell you there
http://vwar.org/ 

I have seen them somewhere

maybe on here???

showing the places to cut to weld in the tube...
if you are doing it the same as the factory
I don't think this is really necessary

the tube needs to be welded in place with good welds
otherwise they break away...

but I can't see why a piece of thick pipe with same inside diameter can't be welded and supported at the end of the chassis.. the cable is always taught and won't go anywhere, so long as the bowden cable fits the pipe you are using... between pipe and gearbox...

that would save a lot of hassles..

wondering what the formula vee people use ??

LEE

did You try Rob and dave;s pages

at : http://www.vw-resource.com 

a good site so it may be there...

LEE

Chris,
On http://www.thesamba.com  "beetles 68-Up" forum, there is an "Index to interesting articles" sticky and inside that is a link to the auto-to-manual conversion topic. Good info in there. Also, (I think it's mentioned in it) use PIPE, not tube. Be wary, it's LHD centric!

HTH
Ctefeh

Thanx brothers, can always count on ya for help.

will take a real good peak at these links tomorrow and plan it out and list it out.
I am after any method possible that would work and be reliable. I have finally got the guts to chop up some chassis.

I will keep you all posted!

chris, if u cant find anything on the interwebs ive got the article and pics in a HotVws somewhere i can scan the article for u

Thanks Joel will definitely keep that in mind man... Appreciate it.

So far these websites have provided the basic overall idea of manual converting..
Mind you, they been useful guy, i now know exactly what i need and whats involved, but each of them say that if u got a 60's S.A pan u will most likely have to weld a clutch tube in... then it doesn't go any further into the fitting procedure of the clutch tube...

They also suggested hydraulic could be another alternative for ease, but thats another whole system. I'm happy with cable and tube, simplicity at its best.

There was an excellent picture i once looooong ago found but have lost, was a cutout of the pan, in big resolution where u could see the insides of the chassis tunnel, and where all the tubes go... (shifting rod, fuel lines, clutch tube, wan't cartoon or nuffin, real photo that went through each bit of the tunnel) Thtas all i need, am doing a big google image search for the thing,cause thats all i need to suss out.

Wouldn't it be lovely though if it was all a matter of drilling a hole and just feeding the tube through and stickin my welding rod inside through the small holes for the accelerator cable and pedal assembly to stick it down, but if i remember from that diagram, tunnel's got plate things inside that would block its path...

http://www.vwdcqinc.org.au/insidea71bug.html 


try this one mate

Thats the one!!

champion stuff buddy, thank a mill to all.

its late 70 onwards pans that have the conduit already installed
generally no 1500s have them its only superbugs and Lbug autos that do
i know in the hot vws article they just used a metal tube from a sheetmetal supplies shop rather than go thro the tedious task of removing one from a floorpan thats already had 40 years use

no worries mate glad to help

I did this to a Auto pan a few weeks ago, it is essentially easy; not much use to you but I used a piece of tube from VVWS. The tube requires welding in three plavces - where it pops out of the chassis at the rear, in the middle and just behind the clutch pedal hook. You will need to cut access holes in the pan. I 'tied' the the tube to the pan under the handbrake using a piece of steel strap; from the tube to edge of the hole I cut in the side of the tunnel

Thanks Grahame i will keep that in mind mate. Be good if i need to get some measurements and more photos... will give ya u2u if i need to call around.

Thanks vwcool, that helps heaps too. the 'essentially easy' bit sounds motivating. Did u just reweld the bits u cut out onto the tunnel? Was there any other reinforcing u saw necessary?

This is the spot just behind the handbrake on the left - partly Tigged back together



and this shows it from the rear - the open "port" is just bent up so you can weld, bent back down and welded up.



You wouldn't know its been done when you finish it off. You can see another opening on the right in this shot, which I used to install a couple of internal fuel lines. The other spot that needs to be opened is up front, a couple of inches back frome where the pedals go through. Don't go too close to the pedals or you will cut into the horizontal bulkhead that the tube attaches to.

Use the 1.5mm thick cutting disks that you can get at Bunnings now. Much easier to weld up.

Oh yeah - I used a bit of hydraulic pipe - got it at Pirtek.

Chris,

I have discovered a damaged '67 pan behind the shed. You can have the clutch tube from it if you like?

Grahame

if you use a 50 mm hole saw in the places vwcool discribed its neater and easier to weld back in
custom off road has the pipe and dave can tell or show you how to do it
terry