Choke cable

[fastfred]

My engine was having a hard time starting and I found the choke cable came out of the carb. Both cable ends are in bad shape from someone messing with it. The cables follow the throttle cables but can I shorten the outside cable shell to get more cable length? I would have to change the routing a bit. Also any tips on keeping the cable from fraying?

[Dave S]

Fastfred,

If I were faced with that particular situation, I would get a new piece of cable to put in the existing housing. It is not that expensive and certainly involves a lot less work; and, you keep your original configuration.

Just one opinion.

[fastfred]

I didn't know you could just replace the cable. I thought it was pressed in at the factory somehow

[jiott]

I have seen where some folks cut the cable with a torch which welds the end strands together. On mine I just put a small piece of shrink tube on the end after threading it thru the clamp (leave some extra cable, don't cut it too short).

[Dave S]

FF,

The cable is a standard aircraft hardware item. I am sure Kitfox would cut you the correct length for your model (and usually a little extra) :)

[fastfred]

I see it in Aircraft spruce . do you know it hooks into the knob end?

[buckchop]

I went to a local mountan bike shop, got a universal cut to fit cable kit for hand brakes, used a polaris sled choke toggle in dash, and cable ends u buy to crimp onto regular cable in steel from Lowe's, (the mountain bike kit comes with aluminum ones, cant solder them) then i silver soldered them on, so far works great cost about $10-12 bucks total and have extra stuff left over incase of repair needed

[Dave S]

FF,

Go to your plane and take a look at the cabin end of the choke cable with the pull bracket - I believe you will find it is a single cable looped through the cabin pull (unless your kitfox model has something different).

[fastfred]

Ok. It is the same model and engine as yours..

[efwd]

Heat the cable to red hot with a torch and pull it apart. All the wires are welded together then. I seen that in Kitplane Magazine. I didn't do it for any of my cables but it certainly appeared to work in the article.

[Av8r3400]

Here is a great video showing this process. I used this technique on my new choke and throttle cables.


https://youtu.be/LnTHZhTkg2U

[efwd]

Ah yes, forgot the drill. Thanks Larry.

[fastfred]

Very nice. To bad the mechanic before me didn't do this. I wouldn't be doing it again.