The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Throttle Cable Won't Work

I'm trying to install a new throttle cable in the 54 gmc..It seems the tension on the accelerator return spring is going to overwhelm what ever force the throttle cable friction has so the throttle won't work.

Am I overlooking something obvious?
Roger

I have the same problem, Roger, and I haven't thought of any solution yet except some kind of jerry-rigged u-shaped spacer to slip over the cable between the throttle knob and bezel (a refinement of redneck clothspin engineering tricks)

see CMayna\'s pics here to be sure it's done right - the cable is tight enuff to handle the spring tension on the carb

Bill

Thanks Bill.. Did you tighten the screw on the carb holding the cable sheath tight enough to counteract the accelerator spring?
Roger

the sheath just needs to be tight enuff that it never moves under any condition, the cable does the work, and can't if the sheath is loose, but the friction on the cable is 'built in' - if it doesn't hold against the return spring, you've got too much spring tension, which is a common thing resulting from general wear, prompting folks to put "better" springs on to get a quick/complete pedal return - also don't lube the cable so it "works easier"

Bill

I heard from another member that the original throttle cables had a "turn to lock" feature ..but I don't remember that. My accelerator return spring is pretty strong but I always heard that was a safety feature to make sure the engine ALWAYS went to idle when your foot came off the accelerator.

Roger

I don't know what the original was, but we sold plenty of these -
http://www.dormanproducts.com/cgi-b...mp;vsrch_brand=all&vsrch_cat=Control Cables&st_amount=&end_amount=&start=&vfrom=&prev=&vnext=&category_list=1422:410:0

Roger - if the originals had been turn-to-lock then the reproductions would be too - never saw one that was, either in originals I've known or parted, or in any brand I drove way back - such a feature would be an accident waiting to happen in a panic situation!

the "safety feature" of the return spring is it keeps the linkage from flopping to full throttle when you get past a certain point - the problem w/ the linkage in regard to the hand throttle is the spring tension may no longer be just as designed, 50 years later, or your cable may be weak

also note that the primary purpose of the hand throttle was for operating PTO equipment that required higher than idle engine speeds, NOT as a 'cruise control'

Bill

And here I thought the T lever was to allow you to put the truck in granny gear, set the wheels straight, raise the rpm a little, jump out and start throwing hay bales in the back or better yet pick up all the broken Fjord truck parts that we see scattered along our country roads.....

Mine has no twist lock and it's all friction since the cable is a stiff steel wire. Besides when I pretend to be throwing hay bales, I use it in conjuction with the choke if I want to rev the engine up a little while it's sitting and waiting for me to quit puttzing.

Thanks Guys for the help. I'll try stretching the accelerator return spring a little. It appears to be original but who knows? It may have shrunk over 50 years.
Roger