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Throttle Cable - What to use?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Ramjet, Jun 5, 2005.

  1. Ramjet
    Joined: Jun 14, 2004
    Posts: 144

    Ramjet
    BANNED

    Anyone got idea of what to use? I'd like to be able to get something from my favorite aftermarket shop - Junk Yard. Would also like something that you think I can shorten to make fit. What have you guys used?
     
  2. Fat Hack
    Joined: Nov 30, 2002
    Posts: 7,709

    Fat Hack
    Member
    from Detroit

    A long ten speed brake cable from a garbage-picked bike...that's what I used!!!:D
     
  3. Ramjet
    Joined: Jun 14, 2004
    Posts: 144

    Ramjet
    BANNED

    so how did you do the firewall? Just drill a hole?
     
  4. BigChief
    Joined: Jan 14, 2003
    Posts: 2,084

    BigChief
    Member

    Not to sound like a Safety Nazi or anything but having a good solid connection between your right foot and the carb are almost if not just as important as the quality of your brakes. An old cable from a 10 speed bike sounds cool and is definitely low buck but a little whimpy and probably not all that safe. Atleast get a new one.

    High quality Morse cables are available in many lengths and are not that expensive. They're used on countless boats and race cars. You can also try finding an OEM throttle cable out of a 69-73 Mustang or other Ford compact/intermediate from the late 60's and early 70's. They're short and making them shorter isn't a big deal.


    -Bigchief.
     
  5. DrJ
    Joined: Mar 3, 2001
    Posts: 9,419

    DrJ
    Member


    I think high quality and redundant, (as in more than one) return springs AT the carburetor are way more important than the quality of the pull cable.
    What with all the Walmart priced junk bicycles around, they get junked way sooner than the cables go away these days.
    Sounds at least as good as all the cables I've broken in VW's :rolleyes:

    I'm using a cable and housing i got out of a '73 Malibu, along with the pedal ***embly. I had to drill about a 7/16" hole in the firewall and then file it square with a small square file to fit the square clippy end of the plastic housing into the hole. Simplicity.
    The only person I've heard of breaking one of the GM cables is ****... :cool:
     
  6. Fat Hack
    Joined: Nov 30, 2002
    Posts: 7,709

    Fat Hack
    Member
    from Detroit

    I just p***ed it through existing holes...those cables are thin and flexible!

    (In my application, the cable is REALLY long, and the throttle is on the p***enger's side of the carburetor, so the cable comes off the pedal...goes through the firewall, swings back into the p***enger compartment through another hole in the firewall, then back out another to line it up with a straight shot to the carb's throttle arm!)

    SIMPLE!!!:D

    I made a screw-down tab to hold the little metal end thingy on the cable housing to the firewall where it goes in to meet the Saturn gas pedal, and the other end of the cable housing (near the carb) is zip-tied to something!

    For connecting it to the carb, I just crimped an eyelet from my electrical connectors to the cable and that slips over a stud and is held in place by a kotter pin and washer.

    It works okay...but it does stick a little...being so long and winding around like it does, it's sometimes a little slow to return to idle. That means I crank up the tension on the return spring, which makes the pedal harder to push down (saves gas!)...but it gets it back to idle like it should.

    Yeah, it should be changed to a better set-up, but it works, so...I'll keep it that way until it NEEDS to be changed to a more, ummm...PROFESSIONAL set-up!!!
     
  7. DrJ
    Joined: Mar 3, 2001
    Posts: 9,419

    DrJ
    Member


    Hmm, I wonder if a Dia-Compe brake lever ***embly could be modified to use as an accelerator pedal?
    :D
     
  8. jalopy43
    Joined: Jan 12, 2002
    Posts: 3,085

    jalopy43
    Member Emeritus

    I have been told a Saturn throttle cable works well:D Oh yeah, use dual return springs on your carb, so you can race at the drags.Spark ky

     
  9. momentumfoto
    Joined: Jan 9, 2004
    Posts: 626

    momentumfoto
    Member
    from Yes

    mmmm bmx ahhhh
     
  10. gierhed
    Joined: Mar 7, 2005
    Posts: 218

    gierhed
    Member

    Or better yet an Avid Ti Speeddial.



     
  11. Deuce Roadster
    Joined: Sep 8, 2002
    Posts: 9,519

    Deuce Roadster
    Member Emeritus

    Why a cable ??

    I always use a rod.........early Fords have them as do 60's Chevrolets....
    Never broke one...... :D

    .
     
  12. sawzall
    Joined: Jul 15, 2002
    Posts: 4,765

    sawzall
    Member

    pep boys carrys a lokar knockoff. in their "speed" section..

    you know next to the chrome fart cans.. and aluminum wings..
     
  13. I have a set of those on my Slingshot.

    For the car, use a rod or a real throttle cable. Not a John Barleycorn contraption.
     
  14. Model A Vette
    Joined: Mar 8, 2002
    Posts: 1,075

    Model A Vette
    Member

    I've used cables from 70-80s Vega's, Monza's and Firebirds. Their pedals are firewall mounted and can be adapted. The cables can be shortened. There are some cables over two feet long on 80's GM fwd cars if you need a longer cable.
     

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