Accelerator cable or rod? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

gator2511 · 10-24-2006, 10:27 PM

My 72 K10 has a throttle cable setup by Lokar and it broke this afternoon after only about 6 months of use. I had a bad feeling about this and I put some strong string in the glove box "just in case". Man I'm glad I did. I tied the string off to the carb linkage and ran it through the firewall using the same hole as the cable. It was weird running the carb with my right hand and steering with the left. Anyway, I bought and modified a cable set up for a mid 80's chevy and its on and working now. I still would rather have a mechanical or rod type linkage to the carb cause I think it looks stronger. Have any of you converted yours or am I the only one that doesn't like the cable? What kind of reliability are you getting out of your accel cable?

**'68OrangeSunshine** · 10-25-2006, 07:09 AM

It's kind of difficult to change from Late to Early style. The gas pedal, accelerator relay rod, and throttle linkage are all in different places on the '67/'68s from the '71/'72 style. [Honestly don't know what side the '69/'70s fall into.] Angles are different and firewall holes are too. For a V8, the stock type cable should work. The stock cable on my '71 Jimmy w/ 350 has been on there at least 7 years. Not sure if I didn't re-use the original one. When I replaced the engine and carb, I did have to shorten the cable.
L6s are trickier with the carb/sidesaddle configuration. I went to cable on my '68 because with a 4 barrel carb on a 292, I wasn't getting WOT with the aftermarket [shadetree] bellcrank even if the pedal was to the floor.
But the conversion was difficult.

alblogg · 10-25-2006, 12:05 PM

I was the same I went from rod linkage to cable on both a Nova I use to own and on my '69 because the rod joints was wearing and getting sloppy so instead of looking for fix it parts I replaced it with a cable.

**Palf70Step** · 10-25-2006, 01:23 PM

67-70 used rods while 71 and later used the cable. It can be done, but lost of little things. As mentioned, you'll need to change the holes in you firewall to accomidate the different positions of the two. figure out how to mount the gas pedal to the floor vice the firewall.

Sounds like your cable wasn't lubed or had a kink in it to wear out that quick.

70short · 10-25-2006, 04:21 PM

I to have the ROD set up "70" I will eventually swap over to the cable. I will use the LOKAR pedal and cable assy's.

Gary

gator2511 · 10-25-2006, 07:41 PM

Well, I guess I did something wrong on the install of the Lokar cable assembly. I put in a mid 80's cable with a few modifications and it feels better than the Lokar. I did re-use the Lokar fittings on the carb. I just didn't know how reliable the cable set ups are. I guess they are good. I hope so, I'm towing my 25' travel trailer out to go hunting in the morning. Don't want to get stuck on the side of the road out in the middle of nowhere. Thanks, Gator

**'68OrangeSunshine** · 10-26-2006, 05:10 AM

4WD trucks use a different cable than 2WD trucks.

gator2511 · 10-26-2006, 07:01 AM

Maybe thats it! I didn't know that. Thanks

krue · 10-26-2006, 07:05 AM

Me either, you learn something new everyday around here.

gator2511 · 10-26-2006, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gator2511

Maybe thats it! I didn't know that. Thanks

Got one ordered. I guess you have to read all the writin. duuuuh

Ackattack · 10-26-2006, 08:31 PM

I'm using a stock cable from a TPI camaro (cause I have a TPI engine

)

I've heard that the cables is better, cause if you get in a wreck in certain situations, the rod setup could get stuck with the engine running WOT and could be bad. I think that would be pretty hard to do with a cable.

Another option (he he) convert to throttle by wire like the newer corvettes

10-24-2006, 10:27 PM	#1
gator2511 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: tampa florida Posts: 776	Accelerator cable or rod? My 72 K10 has a throttle cable setup by Lokar and it broke this afternoon after only about 6 months of use. I had a bad feeling about this and I put some strong string in the glove box "just in case". Man I'm glad I did. I tied the string off to the carb linkage and ran it through the firewall using the same hole as the cable. It was weird running the carb with my right hand and steering with the left. Anyway, I bought and modified a cable set up for a mid 80's chevy and its on and working now. I still would rather have a mechanical or rod type linkage to the carb cause I think it looks stronger. Have any of you converted yours or am I the only one that doesn't like the cable? What kind of reliability are you getting out of your accel cable?

10-25-2006, 07:09 AM	#2
'68OrangeSunshine Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Tucson, AZ USA Posts: 7,439	Re: Accelerator cable or rod? It's kind of difficult to change from Late to Early style. The gas pedal, accelerator relay rod, and throttle linkage are all in different places on the '67/'68s from the '71/'72 style. [Honestly don't know what side the '69/'70s fall into.] Angles are different and firewall holes are too. For a V8, the stock type cable should work. The stock cable on my '71 Jimmy w/ 350 has been on there at least 7 years. Not sure if I didn't re-use the original one. When I replaced the engine and carb, I did have to shorten the cable. L6s are trickier with the carb/sidesaddle configuration. I went to cable on my '68 because with a 4 barrel carb on a 292, I wasn't getting WOT with the aftermarket [shadetree] bellcrank even if the pedal was to the floor. But the conversion was difficult. __________________ Every 25 years I like to rebuild that 292, whether it needs it or not. Last edited by '68OrangeSunshine; 10-25-2006 at 07:11 AM. Reason: typo

10-25-2006, 12:05 PM	#3
alblogg Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NC Posts: 62	Re: Accelerator cable or rod? I was the same I went from rod linkage to cable on both a Nova I use to own and on my '69 because the rod joints was wearing and getting sloppy so instead of looking for fix it parts I replaced it with a cable. __________________ '07 G6 Wife's car '00 Malibu stock, just a parts getter. '99 Blazer LT Loaded, K&N Filter, Pioneer Super Tuner,Viper '88 K1500 Cheyenne, 5.0, stock, bought new '86 Nissan 720 Trash Truck '69 C/10 step side, 307, all original, second owner, in process of restore. The person who says it cannot be done should not interrurt the person doing it. Share your knowledge. It is a way to achieve immortality. Allen- Paintman Wrenchtwister Broompusher

10-25-2006, 01:23 PM	#4
Palf70Step State of Confusion! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gulfport, MS USA Posts: 47,083	Re: Accelerator cable or rod? 67-70 used rods while 71 and later used the cable. It can be done, but lost of little things. As mentioned, you'll need to change the holes in you firewall to accomidate the different positions of the two. figure out how to mount the gas pedal to the floor vice the firewall. Sounds like your cable wasn't lubed or had a kink in it to wear out that quick. __________________ Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God!

10-25-2006, 04:21 PM	#5
70short Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Boise ID Posts: 609	Re: Accelerator cable or rod? I to have the ROD set up "70" I will eventually swap over to the cable. I will use the LOKAR pedal and cable assy's. Gary __________________ "72" Red CORVETTE 4-speed 350 "70" Chevy Short Bed early stages of resto. Edel 600 cfm carb Weiand Stealth Intake HEI shorty Headers 4/2 Drop 295 50R 15 TOYO on 10 inch wide corvette rally rims at all 4 corners. "CHEVY RULES"

10-25-2006, 07:41 PM	#6
gator2511 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: tampa florida Posts: 776	Re: Accelerator cable or rod? Well, I guess I did something wrong on the install of the Lokar cable assembly. I put in a mid 80's cable with a few modifications and it feels better than the Lokar. I did re-use the Lokar fittings on the carb. I just didn't know how reliable the cable set ups are. I guess they are good. I hope so, I'm towing my 25' travel trailer out to go hunting in the morning. Don't want to get stuck on the side of the road out in the middle of nowhere. Thanks, Gator

10-26-2006, 05:10 AM	#7
'68OrangeSunshine Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Tucson, AZ USA Posts: 7,439	Re: Accelerator cable or rod? 4WD trucks use a different cable than 2WD trucks. __________________ Every 25 years I like to rebuild that 292, whether it needs it or not.

10-26-2006, 07:01 AM	#8
gator2511 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: tampa florida Posts: 776	Re: Accelerator cable or rod? Maybe thats it! I didn't know that. Thanks

10-26-2006, 07:05 AM	#9
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,450	Re: Accelerator cable or rod? Me either, you learn something new everyday around here. __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

10-26-2006, 08:31 PM	#11
Ackattack Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Valley Center KS Posts: 3,525	Re: Accelerator cable or rod? I'm using a stock cable from a TPI camaro (cause I have a TPI engine ) I've heard that the cables is better, cause if you get in a wreck in certain situations, the rod setup could get stuck with the engine running WOT and could be bad. I think that would be pretty hard to do with a cable. Another option (he he) convert to throttle by wire like the newer corvettes __________________ Project Bruiser: 68 Pro-Touring C-10 5.3L / 4L60E Project Ironhide: 97 GMC Crew Cab 4x4 Cummins SOLD: '69 GMC 1/2T SWB TBI'd: Project No Buck Assembly Manual Index Sign up Thread!!! Factory Service Manual Index

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