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New throttle cable is stiff.

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Old 02-02-2015, 09:47 PM
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Car: 1991 firebird GTA
Engine: 305 tpi
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Axle/Gears: 3.42 posi
New throttle cable is stiff.

Just installed a new throttle cable on my 89 formula and it's pretty stiff.
Is there a wrong way to install these? I shoulda paid more attention to how it was when I took the old one out. If they're put in the wrong way will they bind?
Old 02-03-2015, 07:35 PM
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Car: 1991 firebird GTA
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Axle/Gears: 3.42 posi
Re: New throttle cable is stiff.

No one?
Old 02-03-2015, 08:23 PM
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Car: 92 Firebird, 77 Trans Am SE, 86 Z28
Engine: 5.7 HSR, T/A 6.6, empty
Transmission: T-5, TH350, T-5
Axle/Gears: 3.08 posi, 3.23 posi, 3.23
No real way to put them in wrong unless it kinks or makes too tight of a bend. Are you sure the cable moves freely when disconnected? What about the throttle itself? Is it stiff or have a strong spring?
Old 02-03-2015, 08:28 PM
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Car: 1991 firebird GTA
Engine: 305 tpi
Transmission: 5spd
Axle/Gears: 3.42 posi
Re: New throttle cable is stiff.

It is free moving when disconnected. . With the car off the pedal is very light and perfect. When the car is on, it gets all stiff again!
Old 02-03-2015, 09:55 PM
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Car: 92 Firebird, 77 Trans Am SE, 86 Z28
Engine: 5.7 HSR, T/A 6.6, empty
Transmission: T-5, TH350, T-5
Axle/Gears: 3.08 posi, 3.23 posi, 3.23
Re: New throttle cable is stiff.

Hmmm. Never ran into such a thing. Well the only difference between engine running and engine off is vacuum. Maybe the throttle blades being all the way shut get sucked even tighter with vacuum. Blind guess really. You could try holding the throttle open just a touch at the throttle stop on the TB and repush the pedal and see if there is any difference.

Just noticed your in town. I wonder if I've seen your car.
Old 02-03-2015, 10:17 PM
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Car: 1989-92 FORMULA350 305 92 Hawkclone
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Axle/Gears: 3.70 9"ford alum chunk,dana44,9bolt
Re: New throttle cable is stiff.

Do you have all the grounds on the engine? (yes, it can matter)
Is this the only thing you replaced?
Any Recent work done to the car?
Is it a NOS cable or a parts chain replacement?
Old 02-03-2015, 10:25 PM
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Car: 92 Firebird, 77 Trans Am SE, 86 Z28
Engine: 5.7 HSR, T/A 6.6, empty
Transmission: T-5, TH350, T-5
Axle/Gears: 3.08 posi, 3.23 posi, 3.23
Originally Posted by TTOP350
Do you have all the grounds on the engine? (yes, it can matter)
Is this the only thing you replaced?
Any Recent work done to the car?
Is it a NOS cable or a parts chain replacement?
I'm asking this because I want to know and not trying to be snarky, what does engine grounds have an effect on a mechanical throttle cable?
Old 02-03-2015, 10:31 PM
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Car: 1991 firebird GTA
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Axle/Gears: 3.42 posi
Re: New throttle cable is stiff.

Originally Posted by aliceempire
I'm asking this because I want to know and not trying to be snarky, what does engine grounds have an effect on a mechanical throttle cable?
My thoughts exactly lol. Btw I just got the car last week. All I did was remove and clean the throttle body, replace throttle cable and install an open element.
Old 02-04-2015, 08:05 AM
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Axle/Gears: 3.70 9"ford alum chunk,dana44,9bolt
Re: New throttle cable is stiff.

Originally Posted by aliceempire
I'm asking this because I want to know and not trying to be snarky, what does engine grounds have an effect on a mechanical throttle cable?
I know these have some type of plastic insulation to try to keep this from happening buuuut on older cars if you would leave the grounds off of the motor, the throttle/shifter cable instantly became a not so good ground for the motor when running.
Sometimes it would freeze up the cables and melt them into a useless pile of garbage. Only fix is replacement of the cable and proper grounds.
Old 02-04-2015, 09:26 AM
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Car: 92 Firebird, 77 Trans Am SE, 86 Z28
Engine: 5.7 HSR, T/A 6.6, empty
Transmission: T-5, TH350, T-5
Axle/Gears: 3.08 posi, 3.23 posi, 3.23
Ahha. Makes total sense. The cable becomes a weak ground and heats up. Well if his is made like factory it should have plastic retainers but that doesn't mean there is no grounding issue.
Old 02-04-2015, 10:37 AM
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Car: 1991 firebird GTA
Engine: 305 tpi
Transmission: 5spd
Axle/Gears: 3.42 posi
Re: New throttle cable is stiff.

I am not worried about the grounding issue. All my engine grounds are a+ and I didn't have this issue with the old cable.
Old 02-04-2015, 09:58 PM
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Axle/Gears: Posi, 3.23
Re: New throttle cable is stiff.

Maybe it's simply because you're going from an old stretched out cable to a new tight cable? Just a guess really.
Old 02-06-2015, 11:21 PM
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Car: '85 Trans Am
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Axle/Gears: 3.27
Re: New throttle cable is stiff.

My gas pedal is pretty stiff too, I just bought the car in December, so I don't know if the cable was replaced or not, anyway to adjust it to make the gas pedal not so stiff?

Last edited by ledman66; 02-06-2015 at 11:28 PM. Reason: spelling
Old 02-06-2015, 11:31 PM
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Car: 1983 Pontiac Firebird
Engine: 305 v8
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Re: New throttle cable is stiff.

Originally Posted by 89iroc89
Just installed a new throttle cable on my 89 formula and it's pretty stiff.
Is there a wrong way to install these? I shoulda paid more attention to how it was when I took the old one out. If they're put in the wrong way will they bind?
Hey sorry this is off Topic but I just created this account cause I just bought an 83 firebird and have a few questions to ask people on this page but I can't figure out how to post my question. Could you tell me how you did it please? Thanks!
Old 02-07-2015, 10:32 AM
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Car: 1991 firebird GTA
Engine: 305 tpi
Transmission: 5spd
Axle/Gears: 3.42 posi
Re: New throttle cable is stiff.

Originally Posted by Dave1983birdy
Hey sorry this is off Topic but I just created this account cause I just bought an 83 firebird and have a few questions to ask people on this page but I can't figure out how to post my question. Could you tell me how you did it please? Thanks!
Hey, I can help. When you're in the forum page looking at all the threads, there is a button on the top left that says "new thread" click that and then you can post! Here is a picture of where it is.
Attached Thumbnails New throttle cable is stiff.-m.png  
Old 02-07-2015, 10:33 AM
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Car: 1991 firebird GTA
Engine: 305 tpi
Transmission: 5spd
Axle/Gears: 3.42 posi
Re: New throttle cable is stiff.

Originally Posted by ledman66
My gas pedal is pretty stiff too, I just bought the car in December, so I don't know if the cable was replaced or not, anyway to adjust it to make the gas pedal not so stiff?
Sadly, there is no adjustment point. I've just come to terms with it.
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