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Old 03-28-2020, 01:18 PM   #1
Tom Endy
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Default 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?

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Old 03-28-2020, 01:23 PM   #2
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Default Re: pop out cable restoration

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


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Old 03-28-2020, 02:18 PM   #3
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Default 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.
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Old 03-28-2020, 04:20 PM   #4
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Default 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
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Old 03-28-2020, 06:13 PM   #5
Tom Endy
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Default Re: pop out cable restoration

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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
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]

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Old 03-29-2020, 12:23 AM   #6
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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!
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Old 03-29-2020, 06:44 AM   #7
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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!
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.
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Old 03-29-2020, 12:31 PM   #8
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Default Re: pop out cable restoration

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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.
I thought that ball was a half inch dia.
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Old 03-29-2020, 12:51 PM   #9
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I thought that ball was a half inch dia.
My mistake, you are right.
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Old 03-29-2020, 01:07 PM   #10
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Default Re: pop out cable restoration

With all due respect, It is hard for a newbie such as myself, when you get more than one answer to a question such as above !

Last edited by McMimmcs; 03-29-2020 at 01:31 PM.
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Old 04-01-2020, 01:12 PM   #11
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Default Re: pop out cable restoration

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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.

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.
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Old 04-01-2020, 01:33 PM   #12
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Default Re: pop out cable restoration

PS, sent you a pm.
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Old 04-01-2020, 01:38 PM   #13
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Default 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.

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Old 04-01-2020, 02:05 PM   #14
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Default Re: pop out cable restoration

Thanks, Tom.

Is anyone around us still doing this?
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Old 04-02-2020, 11:02 AM   #15
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With all due respect, It is hard for a newbie such as myself, when you get more than one answer to a question such as above !
Some of us old timers get brain farts,I remember about half of what I learned!
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Old 04-02-2020, 01:21 PM   #16
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Default Re: pop out cable restoration

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The ball on the bottom has to be 1 inch diameter, but not perfectly round.

Quote:
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I thought that ball was a half inch dia.


Since we're just pitchin' out random numbers, 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.

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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Attached Files
File Type: pdf Shift Lever Dimensions.pdf (1.35 MB, 41 views)
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