Hi all,

Sorry for the lame question, and apologies if it's been asked before...

I've a lot of slack in my throttle cable. Cable looks like new, so I'm looking at adjustable throttle brackets. I was considering an Edelbrock 8036 or similar pattern, but they're all listed as for '78 or earlier. Why is this? Is the intake bolt pattern different, or is this due to different kickdown requirements for older autos? I've a T5, so of it's because of the autobox can I use one?

Daft question I know, but I'm over in the UK I can't just go and look at one!

 

Post a pic of what you have now and maybe we can figure out what to do about it.

 

Ok, here's the best pic I've got at the mo':



(please ignore the overspray on the rockers, the PO was a bit of a plonker!)

As far as I know, this is a stock throttle bracket setup, and that's a stock E4ME qjet on top.

 

Looks mostly normal for an old used cable, except that it's broken.

There's supposed to be a sheath on the bare part, attached to the part that latches into the bracket, and extends up into the tubular part that moves. It's broken off and either has been removed or is hanging out inside the moving piece.

Doesn't look "new" at all to me.

 

er… yeah, I guess that doesn't really look too new does it?!

By 'new' I think I meant the cable didn't look corroded and worked freely.

I've googled a few pictures and I see what you mean by the sheathe. Does it simply provide some protection for the cable? Do I really need one?

Thing is, I can get one of those Edelbrock brackets over here for about £30+ (around $50), but a lokar setup will cost more like $150 and those billet c-shape brackets about $170-200 once imported!

Plus, I think I'll need to source longer bolts for the carb for the billet bracket, and sourcing imperial fixings over here is a pain…

I know those 'spectre' throttle brackets are cheaper (I've seen a similar one I can get for about £25 by JL Fabrications), but I've heard they're rather flimsy.

So, can I use that edelbrock fitting to take out the slack or am I barking up the wrong tree?

 

On a sidenote what headers are those? Ive also got a quadrajet and T5 but on an edelbrock vortec performer intake and I think Ive finally got a throttle bracket that will work. I got the spectre as Ive read it can be modded to fit but the mounting hole is way off. Im hoping this oem bracket that mounts to the carbs rear bolts will work although I have to bend it a little to clear the rear vacuum hose.

 

I'm not absolutely sure what those headers are, as the previous owner fitted them. He bought them on eBay, couldn't remember what they are, but he thought they were by 'speed master'.

They're not that highly regarded, I don't think, but I did find this discussion which I think is about the same headers, and they were quite complimentary.

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/exhaust/718324-ebay-headers.html

I used standard-length spark plugs though, although a couple on the passenger side did require some contortion and swearing to fit!

I'm not sure there's enough flex in the OEM bracket I have to take up the slack, but I could give it some welly and see what it does.

ETA: forgot the link!

 

I wanna say I have the same headers. I haven't started my engine since the rebuild though. How do the welds look on yours?

 

I've not seen anything on my headers to offend me, but I'm not expert on welding!

Can anyone tell if one of these Edelbrock 8036 brackets will fit? I'd kinda like to order one...

Professional Products 52126 or Jegs 157336 are similar products.

On another note, would I be able to use one of these kits? A throttle rod sounds an interesting alternative to a cable...

http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS+Performan...5750K/10002/-1

Cheers for the help!

 

Ah well, I've bought this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/UNIVERSAL-...item33a78546fe

My cheapest option, and hopefully it'll fit. Looks much like the spectre offering, except with provision for the return spring included.

I'm assuming without the pressure exerted by a TV cable, this bracket will be strong enough. I went off the Edelbrock 8030/36 as, when I scoured the internet for pictures, each seemed to show the throttle cable held at a downward angle, whereas the carb-base mounted brackets seemed to replicate more closely the stock angle of attack.

I'll update the thread with my findings...

 

Best thing to do about the cable, is just replace it.

They're like $20 over here... not sure what they'd be by the time they made it to your place, but it doesn't make much sense to hack-job around something that's clearly broken, as opposed to fixing the broken thing.

 

Broken? Sure the sheathe seems to be missing, but isn't the cable just a little stretched? It seems a bit poor of GM not to include adjustment of the throttle linkage, so I think I'd like some way to keep things nipped up anyway.

 

Why would they do that?

An unbroken cable doesn't need any "adjustment".

Go get a cable that hasn't suffered whatever trauma yours has, you'll see.

 

Well, all throttle cables stretch to some degree eventually - it's why most manufacturers offer some ability to adjust it! I couldn't quite believe my eyes when I found there wasn't one of the Camaro.

There isn't an obvious way for me to get a throttle cable, short of JEGS or summit, and their international shipping rates are extortionate.

I'll see how I get on with the bracket - hopefully it'll be able to get the throttle cable sorted for me. It should at least be less of a bodge than brutalising the existing throttle bracket as I've seen suggested elsewhere!

If that doesn't work, I'll chase up trying to sort out a new cable.

 

OP: Looks like your cruise cable is broken and you're missing the stud it should attach to anyway. This may, or may not help:




Armybyrd: Stock throttle bracket works perfectly on the performer vortec after just a few minutes with a bench vise. Somewhere in here is a photo:

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/memb...d-swap-ta.html

 

Thanks for the heads-up - but my car doesn't have cruise!

 

No, they really DON'T.

We can all sure tell you're used to dealing with British cars, and mfrs like Lucas Electric. Not all cars are that .... under-engineered.

 

I can see that, but you've got a cable of some type installed in the throttle bracket where the cruise control cable should be.

 

You know what? That might explain why it's so loose...

..hang on. Do I? There's only one hole...

 

in the pic, your throttle cable is connected. the cable closest to the fender that is not connected to anything is mounted where the cruise control cable would go. looks to be a broken TV cable?

 

Er, are we looking at the same picture?!

I have only a throttle cable; it's a T5 so no TV cable. There are no other disconnected cables...

 

Ha, you american guys love to knock British cars! Whenever a British car comes up on Jalopnik, someone always goes on about how unreliable they are, etc!

Besides, I've never had a British car, and both of my other cars are Japanese...

 

Upon closer inspection of your photo I now see that you only have the throttle cable connected. Oh well.