How common is the clutch cable becoming the ground?, My present clutch cable malady may be this issue.... Options

[second wind]

Hello all....I have been tackling a clutch cable problem and finally closing in on a solution....but my existing failed cable is so stubborn upon removal that it seems that the inner cable is welded to the outer housing....I have heard about the clutch cable becoming the ground for the car and I wonder how often this occurs and what are the symptoms?? I would like to prevent this from occurring while I am in clutch cable repair mode....thank you very much!!
gg

[dr914@autoatlanta.com]

I was very good at replacing the clutch assembly in a 914 years ago. I had a 75 nepal orange car sold (this was 1979) and told the customer I would install a new clutch. Had the job done in less than an hour. The engine was slow to crank, so I put a battery charger booster on it, was still slow and then I noticed smoke coming from the cockpit! Forgot to attach the rear trans ground strap, the engine sought the accelerator cable as the ground and melted it in the center tunnel accelerator tube.

Well for the rest of the weekend I was busy cutting the tube out of the center tunnel and replacing it. Learned a very good lesson

[worn]

I was very good at replacing the clutch assembly in a 914 years ago. I had a 75 nepal orange car sold (this was 1979) and told the customer I would install a new clutch. Had the job done in less than an hour. The engine was slow to crank, so I put a battery charger booster on it, was still slow and then I noticed smoke coming from the cockpit! Forgot to attach the rear trans ground strap, the engine sought the accelerator cable as the ground and melted it in the center tunnel accelerator tube.

Well for the rest of the weekend I was busy cutting the tube out of the center tunnel and replacing it. Learned a very good lesson

But, did it start?