What's the extra hole in the cluster bezel?
 

It's on the right side under the wiper-washer.

Re: What's the extra hole in the cluster bezel?
 

It’s for a manual throttle

Re: What's the extra hole in the cluster bezel?
 

Manual throttle? What's that?

Re: What's the extra hole in the cluster bezel?
 

It is a cable operated mechanism that attaches to the throttle linkage that raises and maintains engine speed above idle.

My 1970 Blazer was ordered with it. My dad used it to raise the idle speed up enough to for the alternator to run the all of emergency lights at fire scenes.

The knob/mechanism on a 1970 is on the other side of the cluster, under the headlight switch. 1971/72 manual throttle was located under the wiper/washer switch.

Re: What's the extra hole in the cluster bezel?
 

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I'm wondering if people used this as sort of a poor mans cruise control back in the day...could be a bit dangerous I suppose though.

-Kevin

Re: What's the extra hole in the cluster bezel?
 

Wasn't that hole used for manual choke on 67/68 models?

Re: What's the extra hole in the cluster bezel?
 

1967-68 choke location:

https://oldchevytrucks.com/pub/media...0knobs%201.jpg

Re: What's the extra hole in the cluster bezel?
 

1968 with either 327 or 396:

https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...1&d=1133805545

Re: What's the extra hole in the cluster bezel?
 

In my experience the throttle will only open so much . Wouldn’t be able to maintain highway speed . In town maybe but you’d have to be pretty dense to try it . My golden has the manual throttle on it

Re: What's the extra hole in the cluster bezel?
 

You can pull the knob out to lock the RPM or twist it left or right to speed up or slow down. AKA Redneck Cruise Control. Only the brake pedal doesn't disconnect the cruise.




http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1736293030

Re: What's the extra hole in the cluster bezel?
 

Choke or Manual Throttle.
On 67/68s, the Wipers and Headlights are on the left, so it could be both.

As for the Red Neck Cruise Control -- there used to be a joke about a Middle Eastern Foreign Student [Pre Iranian Islamic Revolution, and way before 9/11/2001] who thought it was just like Autopilot in an airplane, and set it at highway speed to go back into the galley of his big camper and make himself a sandwich. He was surprized when the camper rolled. Most likely an urban legend, as they won't work that high an RPM, we're told.

Re: What's the extra hole in the cluster bezel?
 

The bezel in the first pic is a 69-72.

Re: What's the extra hole in the cluster bezel?
 

I was aware of that but intended to be all-inclusive.

Re: What's the extra hole in the cluster bezel?
 

I would think a main use of the manual throttle would be to control the engine RPM when a PTO is used. Think not so common to see a PTO on 67-72 truck. Maybe more common on the 40+ series trucks?

Re: What's the extra hole in the cluster bezel?
 

My manual chock was there to increase rpm while operating winch.
It doesn't work as a cruise way too slow. I tried it 35 years ago.

Re: What's the extra hole in the cluster bezel?
 

I was told the throttle rod was to increase RPM to allow the alternator to recharge the battery when my truck had a camper, 5th wheel trailer.

The OP's post of this lever got me to look at pics of my dash. My lever is on the left side, under the head light knob....
https://i.imgur.com/LKIYmJ8.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/4zXKXjJ.jpg

Looking close at the 1st pic, it seems like the location of my throttle lever was done as a shade tree fix. Note the black plastic under the bezel.

100%...I dunno but still like my truck.
FWIW....I've never tried it, to see if the RPM's increase...Don.

Re: What's the extra hole in the cluster bezel?
 

That black plastic place card under the chrome nut is a factory item. They were also use under the manual choke on 68’s and possibly other years.

Re: What's the extra hole in the cluster bezel?
 

The manual throttle was on the right side, lower hole in 67-68.
The manual throttle was on the left side, lower hole in 69-72 (all the ones I’ve seen anyway)

Re: What's the extra hole in the cluster bezel?
 

'69-'70 was under the light switch, left side.

'71-'72 was under ther washer/wiper switch, right side.

Re: What's the extra hole in the cluster bezel?
 

Thanks for the added info, now we know for sure for all years.

Re: What's the extra hole in the cluster bezel?
 

My 71 K15 suburban has its on the right side also. I added a switch on the left under the head light switch for a rear heater.
sure would be nice to have plastic tab that had rear heater printed on it.

Re: What's the extra hole in the cluster bezel?
 

If you can't find one, it would be Period Correct to squeeze out a plastic label from a Dymo gun.

Re: What's the extra hole in the cluster bezel?
 

I've seen this on a Suburban before:

https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...1&d=1391887389

Re: What's the extra hole in the cluster bezel?
 

Yes, they were common on school buses, of all brands.:smoke: