16 replies to this topic

[Cyclops63]

I have never liked the later choke cables. The symbol on them says "fan" to me, just like the heater one says,"fagend left in an ashtray." I much prefer the old bakelite style ones which say "choke" and "heater" or even "cold start" or just the letter "C"
So that's what I'm going to fit. It doesn't have to be a locking one. But... all the "old style" cables I've researched are too short...
I've got an HS4 on just now but may well "downgrade" to an HS2 to get rid of the abominable air filter. (Performance is low on my list of priorities)
Someone must have tackled this issue before but a thorough search of the site doesn't bring up any answers...
Stewart

[stuart bowes]

can you not just get a round sticker with C on it and stick that over the 'fan' symbol

 

or something in thin black plastic with C embossed in white

[sledgehammer]

Just to be different , I put a lawn mower throttle on mine

 

on the side of the speedo binnacle 
 

works a treat & is where I can see it , so I know to turn off the choke

 

like this one ...

https://www.ebay.co....:Bk9SR9r01v3wYg

[KTS]

The plastic cover is removable so you can put a different symbol in if you prefer

[Cyclops63]

Thanks. I'd prefer the old "knob" style rather than the "fan" with a sticker in it. Just "nicer" 🤯

[68+86auto]

Just buy a generic aftermarket one not from a mini supplier. I once bought one for a mini from a parts store and all they had was one which was like 5m long or something like that, I just had to cut it down. One specifically saying heater might be more difficult to find though.

[Designer]

Hi.Cylcops63,

 

I had to replace the choke cable on my daughter's 1988 Mini Designer which we are trying to keep as factory original as much as possible. I could not get a new cable with a knob on it that matched the old one. My fix was to cut the knob of the old one, with about 2/3 rds of the shank still attached to the knob Cut the knob of the new one making sure that what was left of the shank on the new cable when welded to the old knob was the same length as that of the original knob and shank to the actual cable. Then filed a slight point on the end of the old knob shank and the end of the new cable shank and then welded the two together. In fact the guy at Wood and Pickett Leatherhead (now closed) did the welding for me.

You have to make sure that the grove in the two pieces of shank is properly in line. This meant that I could still use the original choke fitting behind the dash. Sanding and filing of the weld was needed to make sure the new cable fitted the original dash fitting without snagging.

I hope this explanation makes sense.

This was done about 5 - 7 years ago and still working with no problems.

[mad4classics]

You could try MGOC Spares, they have a fair selection. I've got one from a midget that I find is a better length for my setup.

They do sell a few Mini bits including a choke cable - link below. The symbol may or may not be what you want, but it's not the "fan"; in any case I would phone them first to check that's a picture of current stock.

https://www.mgocspar...1990?nodePath=1

The one for the MGA just has the 'C' symbol but I don't know what the fixing is for that.

Edited by mad4classics, 01 November 2023 - 08:16 AM.

[Cyclops63]

I think there must surely be an off the shelf solution rather than my dodgy welding. The MG one looks a possibility at 52" long. I'll do some more measuring...

[stuart bowes]

that MG one is the symbol I would expect for a choke, I was trying to think yesterday what it should be? haven't seen one in so long

 

but seeing that pic now jogs the memory

[greenwheels]

Checked my local supplier Bull Motif and see they have a selection of choke cables https://www.bullmoti...rch/choke cable

All you then need is a clothes peg to hold it out.

[JXC Mini GT]

Minispares do choke and heater cables, don't think they do pegs though.

[Cyclops63]

But all the minispares or other mini suppliers ones with choke or c on them are far too short unfortunately. Hence the need for an alternative 😉

[Ethel]

That MGOC offering looks like the Metro cable. It illuminated, but I can't see the necessary spade terminal on that one.

 

If you've run out of clothes pegs you could get a bowden cable offering,  a loop in will provide  enough friction so it stays put. Cut it long & you can fine tune the friction. Seems to be a fair choice on fleabay for knobs 'n symbols.

[Cyclops63]

I don't want the choke icon at all. I just want a knob that says "choke" or "C" that is about 60inches long as per the cable with the "fan" on it. WHAT is that supposed to be anyway??