pop out cable restoration
 

With the passing of Cal Allen a while back the Model A world lost the premiere pop out cable and key restoration person. Is there anyone out there today that comes close to his craftsmanship and good service that can be recommended?

Tom Endy

Re: pop out cable restoration
 

I used Dick Crabtree to rebuild mine and he was great!! Info in the sticky area.


Mike

Re: pop out cable restoration
 

I would say Dick Crabtree. I certainly can't do it good.

This brings up a topic that we don't want to hear. A lot of the great model a restorers who do this specific work are getting older and passing away or retiring. I recently ran into this with the emergency brake cross shaft. I haven't found anybody that does work like the old guy.

Re: pop out cable restoration
 

Tom
You don’t answer my correspondence when I’ve sent you pm’s etc but I’ll answer yours. Dick is a friend and is not only a prince of a guy he does an outstanding job on pop outs, keying handles, and has handles of varieties from time to time.
All the best !
Larry shepard

Re: pop out cable restoration
 

Larry, if you sent me PM's I never received them. The best way to communicate with me direct is by e-mail. [email protected]

Tom Endy

Re: pop out cable restoration
 

Hey Tom!

Do you know who could restore an original 29 gear shift lever bottom end? It's a bit worn. I don't want to go repro. I'm betting the virus you'd know who can do it.

Thank you!

Re: pop out cable restoration
 

I am not Tom, but it is quite a simple repair. The ball on the bottom has to be 1 inch diameter, but not perfectly round. Has to be a little close so it slips in between the forks. A machine shop should be able to do it, but a lot of model a'ers are doing it. If you live in California, there are a lot of people who do this (shops and hobbyists). You probably live too far from Tom but I am sure there is someone.

Re: pop out cable restoration
 

I thought that ball was a half inch dia.

Re: pop out cable restoration
 

My mistake, you are right.

Re: pop out cable restoration
 

Re: pop out cable restoration
 

It is a simple repair for someone with that skill set. I'm an electrical and electronics engineer. I can design and build a radio or TV station with half my brain tied behind my back. Ask me to weld? That's my kryptonite.

I asked Tom because I have had dealings with him in the past and I know his skillset, and respect his opinions VERY much. I figured he could steer me to someone who would do it right the first time.

My local machine shop is closed. The one in the next town over is so busy, it would be at least a year before I got it back. He still has a set of rods I took over there a year ago for bearings to be poured. When I check, he says it's in the que.

Re: pop out cable restoration
 

PS, sent you a pm.

Re: pop out cable restoration
 

The ball on the end of the shifter is a nominal half inch diameter. It does not have to be accurate, the important thing is it has to slide smoothly in the fork slots, which is a half inch. Some of the repo shifters and repo forks are not compatible and will jam up.

For a repair, the ball should be welded up where it is flat and filed down so that it works smoothly in what ever forks you are going to use. it does not have to be perfectly round.

Tom Endy

Re: pop out cable restoration
 

Thanks, Tom.

Is anyone around us still doing this?

Re: pop out cable restoration
 

Some of us old timers get brain farts,I remember about half of what I learned!

Re: pop out cable restoration
 

Since we're just pitchin' out random numbers, :D I thought I would jump in too and pitch out what the factory print says so there will be 3 different numbers to confuse folks. :rolleyes: :p ;)

The ball IS supposed to be round, -and is to be machined to 0.492 - 0.496 --with the best case being about 0.006" under a half inch (0.494"). The Gear Shifter Fork is what is supposed to be 0.500" with a 0.002 +/- tolerance. Proof is in the PDF file I posted below.



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