Im building a 59 apache. Just trying to sort the dash out and wanted to know about the throttle cable. I hear they were used to bring the engine up in rpm for pto to use winches etc. can they be used as a " cruise control " or is it pretty much useless as i dont have any winches or any hay to haul out of a field. Thanks - shane Sent from my DROID device using the TJJ mobile app
It can be used as a cruise control, we used to do it with hay trucks so that we could jump out and throw hay. I would not recommend it but I don't recommend crusie control either. They are dangerous.
I thought it was there to use when you were stopped on a steep hill . Brake, clutch, Gas (Throttle)! I had a '59 and it sure came in handy.
Modern military HMMWVs have the same thing to bring idle RPMs up to maintain power for all of the electronics. It says in the training manual, the operator manual and on the dash right above it not to use it as cruise control. I can tell you from experience, if you get in a panic situation with it pulled, it's gonna ****.
I never thought about the clutch on a steep hill. Pretty cool, and as far as cruise goes id only be using it on long highway hauls. I think alot of the danger in cruise control comes from people riding up some ones *** and not " checking the horizon " while they drive. A lot of accidents could be prevented if people glanced more than 10 feet ahead of them while they drive. That subject is for another day though Sent from my DROID device using the TJJ mobile app
All that being said ill probably just eliminate it as i have no real need and rarely use or want cruise. Thanks guys Sent from my DROID device using the TJJ mobile app
As others said, the purpose is not for cruise control. It will work sort of, but remember it is throttle position control, not speed control.
My Model T has the throttle on the steering wheel and doesn't release when you hit the brake. It can work. Wayno
Modern cruise control does the same thing sometimes. As for on a hill when I was young we are taught to hold it with the clutch.
i thought maybe low speed cruise control on bumpy roads so your not bouncing on and off the throttle. Like a 5-10 mph road.
I have a throttle cable cruise control on three of my cars. YES YOU CAN use it as a cruise control. You have to remember that at 70 mph for example, the throttle opening is so small that the brakes will easily stop the vehicle. Using a cable as a cruise control IS NOT the same as a stuck throttle at WOT. In the rare event that I forget to push the cable back in when I need to slow down, I hit the brakes and the car slows down. It becomes second nature once you get used to it, and if one more thing to remember will screw you up, you don't need to be driving at all!!
My '57 has a hand throttle from the dealer when new. The original owner had it installed because of the stick shift and lots of hill in the area where I was from in CT. Makes a lousy cruise control! JMHO! KK
I was told that having a cruise that doesnt let off when you hit the brake is illegal (atleast in Texas). but who knows, could be false. I still would not do it
Man , anytime I did that I got a poke in the ribs from my Dad. "Clutch in or out ! Everything in between is wear and lingering there is unnecessary wear." And then " Burnt discs, hot flywheels, worn TO bearings, do you know you have to remove the transmission for a throw out bearing !!!! You'll have more time & money to do other stuff and go faster if you don't do that." Oh damn I still feel it in my right side lol So the next weekend I told my dad I was going to help my buddy put a new clutch in his car. He said "he just got a new clutch a month ago .... Ohhhh that is where you learned how to ride it on a hill isn't it ? " and then " well you'll learn a bunch and then show your buddy what I showed you "
yeah i always caught hell about the clutch being in or out from my pop too....... idk i may throw the cable in to see if i actually use it. and i agree, if something as simple as this can hamper your driving ability you should get the hell out from behind the wheel before someone gets hurt or killed. thanks for the info guys
I have done the same thing in the past and am just gathering up carb bits to put the cable on my Jimmie.
The reason model T's and A's had them was to make starting them easier when using the crank. You would retard the timing (spark), advance the throttle, then go in front and crank it to start it. Once it was running you would go back to the drivers seat and advance the timing and move the throttle back to being out of the picture. They were also used to bring the rpms up until the engine came up to operating temperature, sometimes in cold weather you would go out and start the car and let it sit there running while you stayed in the warm house. Today someone would steal it before you drank your coffee. Do not even think about using it for a cruise control, you are just asking to run at full speed into the guy in front of you. Don
I use a stick I cut for that purpose and if things get dicey I just pull it out. It rests from the seat cushion to the throttle pedal. Done this for years and no close calls yet. 65 mph until I hit a hill. Normbc9
my dads a trucker, he was telling me about an adjustable stick they sold at truck stops for a while that would rest between the throttle and dash as a "cruise stick"
I remember an old truck driver neighbor talking about driving "Comfortable" both feet flat on the floor. He used to haul Fuel oil out of Port Everglades and across alligator alley maxed out the entire trip across the everglades. Sounded like a great story when I was a kid, now I realize that back then Flat out in a truck was probably 55-65 MPH lol
Both my "A" and '40 have hand chock and hand throttle controls. I used both on cold starts. That's it. Never as speed control. Not only does it not kick off with the brake it does not regulate speed. Hit the top of a hill at cruising speed and by the time you hit the bottom of the hill you are ready for lift-off.
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