VCCA Home Forums GENERAL DISCUSSION New User Forum Dash Throttle Cable

The forum says there aren't any dumb questions. This might be one. The dash, throttle cable on my 1948 Chevy truck is missing. I bought one from Chevs of the 40's. When I install the cable, how does it interact with the foot pedal when I press it to accelerate. Will the throttle knob move in and out as I press the foot pedal? Will the throttle cable interfere with the foot pedal?

If connected correctly the cable and accelerator peddle operate independently of each other.

In many cases the carb end of the cable goes through the accelerator rod where you might think a cotter pin goes. A cable stop is put on the end of the wire. So when you work the pedal it slides on the wire. You want to make sure you have the right brackets on the carb that hold the cable in the right position. You do not want the excitement of a stuck accelerator pedal.

Dave

Something like this.

Great picture Russell !

Excellent answers and photo.

Best.

Charlie

What I don't have on my carburetor is the bracket that holds the throttle cable in the vertical position. I don't how to describe that part in my online searches.

Contact Bob Adler the tech advisor for trucks of your year. He will have the info and possibly the bracket. bobadler@nycap.rr.com or 518-733-5749

If you have a W-1 carb (like in the picture above) I have a bracket I will send you. Don't know if it will work on other carbs. Just PM me your address.

I appreciate that very much. How do I send you a PM?

Click on ruscar just above the picture of my car then click view profile. You will see my email address there. Or click on ruscar and select private message. Either way works for me.

What is a cable stop..is that the bracket holding the cable? I'm having a problem with the wire being push back up through the cable. Then get stuck.

In the above picture it is the thing on the very end of the cable. It is simply a barrel that has a hole through it that the wire part of the cable passes through and a screw in the end to clamp it in place. To "stop" the cable from pulling out of whatever it is controlling.

Ah..Thanks..is there suppose to be a washer on the accelerator rod that the wire is connected to? Also the accelerator rod should ride up and down on the wire if installed right..right? Also in the picture I see the cable has a nice kink in it at the bracket. Is that important so the wire will not push back to easy?

As to a washer, I have seen both, with and without. I have a small washer on mine.

Yes, the rod should slide up and down on the wire with no resistance.

I think that kink in the picture is just from being there many years. Not my car.

Try this. Pull out your throttle knob about half way. Turn you knob clockwise/counterclockwise 1/8 to 1/4 turn and see if it locks in place. Both my throttle and choke cables have the ability to lock in place by doing that. They stay in place until I twist it back and push it in.

Russ: I thought I knew all the little differences between the 47s and 48s. That one I did not know about.
Hope all is well with you and yours ! Stay Safe !!

Dick

I didn't know about that either. Darn I had my 48 out yesterday and didn't think to try it.

Dick, all is well here.

There is a story behind my statement. Last summer I was sitting in the car when my OCD kicked in. I noticed the "T" on the throttle was slanted to the left a little so naturally I reached over and twisted it until it was straight up and down. A few days latter I needed to move the car. Started it up and wanted it to idle a bit faster until it warmed up. So I went to pull out the throttle knob. It would not move. I pulled and pulled. Would not move. Looked under the hood. Saw nothing wrong. I then pulled so hard the knob came off the cable. What the **** is wrong. Got my vice grips and clamped them on. In doing so the pliers twisted the cable a little to the left and low and behold it pulled out very easy. Pushed it back and twisted back to the right and again I could not move it. Twisted it back to the left and again it moved freely. I glued the knob back and now all is fine. Tested the choke cable and it too worked the same.

I looked through all my literature and found nothing about this. Note: I had replaced both cables with new ones from CoT40s so I have no idea if the originals were like this or not but it is nice that these do. Just wish I had known beforehand.

Interesting situation ! If I understand it, you installed new cables when you restored the car ! Did they come with new knobs also ? Sounds like the shaft must have a flat side that will lock in the dash portion when turned. Now all we need is someone with a 48 and still has the orig choke & throttle cables installed to see if they will lock in position.

Dick

https://www.chevsofthe40s.com/detail/8695/Chevrolet_Throttle_Cable_Assembly_With_Knob.html

https://www.chevsofthe40s.com/detail/8684/Chevrolet_Choke_Cable_Assembly_With_Knob.html

Yes, both came with the correct knobs.

Russ: I now can vaguely recall from my gas station employment in the mid 50s of this locking feature on the choke & throttle on some cars. Must have been 48 Chevys as both of my current 47 Fleetlines do not have it. Wonder if this was unique to all 48s or maybe only the Fleetmaster & Fleetlines . Does your owner manual show anything on this subject? Would be interesting to hear from members who have unrestored 47 or 48 Chevys with the original choke & throttle set up regarding whether or not theirs has the locking feature.
Too bad Bruce is no longer with us as I'm sure he would love investigating this. Maybe Gene will see this and chime in toward his thoughts.

Dick

That is not an intended function the the cables. When twisted the hump goes a lettle past the grove. The grove and hump are there to keep the "C" and"T" up-ringt.
Unless over lubricatedthere is enough friction with te wire ans out side cable o keep the wire from slipping in by its self. One time on one of mmy cars I lubricated the throttle cable an it would move by the vibration of the engine,

OK Now we know. Thank you Gene

Dick