Stovebolt.com Forums The Shop Area The Engine Shop Throttle Cable

I installed the missing throttle I bought from Classic Parts and when I pull it to raise the rpm it just slides right back. The throttle doesn’t have any resistance to overcome the accelerator return spring. What am I missing?

Hi Phak1
I had similar problems, carefully examining one original cable I saw it had what looked like three purposeful mild bends or kinks in the inner wire spaced a few inches apart behind the pull handle
I assume that was to make friction in the spiral jacket so the throttle holds in position.
The throttle will never be stiff enough to hold while driving through a field
Vibration eventually lets the pedal spring pull it back a bit
I think it was meant as a throttle hold when the truck is parked to warm up or keep engine rpm up for PTO use.
You also can’t use it as a cheap cruise control because the first down hill you encounter the engine will over rev
So that makes me think it was only ever for stationary use.
-s

If you want the throttle cable to hold its position, just snap a binder clip onto the shaft after setting the RPM where you want it.

https://www.amazon.com/ACCO-Binder-Clips-Mini-72010/dp/B00006IBK2/ref=sr_1_18?crid=3SBNQAZ10A9SJ&dchild=1&keywords=binder+clips+small&qid=1606190828&s=office-products&sprefix=Binder+Clips%2Coffice-products%2C207&sr=1-18

Jerry

I just put it there to fill a hole where one should have been, but I do want it to work. As a cruise control? Not a chance!

Thanks 2ManyTrucks, I try the kinking the inner cable!

My 56 is pretty snug and it has no kinks. I had to lube and work it around to get it freed up as it was not attached when I bought the truck. I guess new cables are a lot looser.

Lee.

I do agree, the throttle is not a cruise control. But that said when driving on long trips (hundreds of miles), on sparsely populated level roads I've been guilty of giving my right foot a break and setting the throttle to cruise speed. Generally for only a few minutes at a time. I also use it when warming up the engine on a cold day or bumping rpm up to charge the battery.

RR

Granny gear in a 4 speed and a big flat bed truck with the throttle knob pulled out just a bit has hauled untold thousands of hay bales, especially if the field has a few shallow ruts for the front wheels to follow. The driver just gets it pointed in the right direction and hops out to help buck bales!
Jerry

Yes Sir, been there done that. When loading by yourself it's about the only way. With the 3500 Dodge 4x4, low range works well. When the original SM420 was in the '51 low gear was a bit too slow at idle, had to pull the throttle out just a wee bit.

Luckily our fields never had ruts, so ever so often you have to give the steering wheel a corrective yank through the open window.

My Strong advice is do as I say and not as I do; never jump the trailer tongue getting to the other side! Loaded hay a couple years ago by meself and got away with it once again. You'd think a old guy would know better

RonR

Heck you guys, being a 'city boy', I thought that was just an old wives' tale...............


Phil, that's priceless and exactly why I have a throttle cable too!

Some of the better-equipped farmers had a conveyor belt that bolted to the side of the bed, and was driven by a roller that engaged the tread of a rear tire. The crew just bucked bales onto the conveyor, while a couple of guys riding the truck bed did the stacking. Those crews could clear a field in a hurry!
Jerry