What's the extra hole in the cluster bezel? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

desert-rat · 01-06-2025, 12:49 PM

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

**leddzepp** · 01-06-2025, 01:08 PM

It’s for a manual throttle

desert-rat · 01-06-2025, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leddzepp

It’s for a manual throttle

Manual throttle? What's that?

**1970cstblazer** · 01-06-2025, 03:08 PM

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.

weq92f · 01-06-2025, 09:30 PM

.

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

**70STOVEBOLT** · Yesterday, 01:07 PM

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

**1970cstblazer** · Yesterday, 01:49 PM

1967-68 choke location:

**1970cstblazer** · Yesterday, 02:10 PM

1968 with either 327 or 396:

72c20customcamper · Yesterday, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by weq92f

.

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

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

**Canuckvetter** · Yesterday, 07:40 PM

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

**'68OrangeSunshine** · Yesterday, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by desert-rat

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

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.

**leddzepp** · Yesterday, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by '68OrangeSunshine

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

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

**'68OrangeSunshine** · Yesterday, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leddzepp

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

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

**Richard** · Today, 12:41 AM

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?

**58 Special** · Today, 05:07 AM

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.

01-06-2025, 12:49 PM	#1
desert-rat Registered User Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: 3,018 feet above the SoCal/Mojave Desert region. Posts: 377	What's the extra hole in the cluster bezel? It's on the right side under the wiper-washer. Attached Images

01-06-2025, 01:08 PM	#2
leddzepp Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Southern Cal Posts: 20,041	Re: What's the extra hole in the cluster bezel? It’s for a manual throttle __________________ 1972 C/10 Cheyenne Super SWB. Restored, loaded, slammed. 1968 C/10 50th Anniversary LWB. Unrestored, stock, daily driver/work truck. RIP ElJay RIP 67ChevyRedneck RIP Grumpy Old Man RIP FleetsidePaul

01-06-2025, 03:08 PM	#4
1970cstblazer All stock and staying that way Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Elkland, PA Posts: 1,883	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. __________________ 1970 K/5 Blazer CST 4WD, TOTM winner December 2024! Medium Bronze, 93k ACT. miles, 350, 4 speed, rear positraction, 16.5" x 8.25" HD wheel option, tilt, tach, vacuum, AM/FM, manual throttle...Dad ordered and purchased new 4/70. Currently frame off restoration finally getting close to completion.. 1972 Cheyenne Super 20 2WD, DK Blue/White, 90K ACT. miles, 402, TH400, 4.10 open, tilt, tach, vacuum, A/C, AM/FM, manual throttle.. A mostly original paint never rusted Texas survivor... 2017 Sierra 1500 SLT 4WD, Black, 45k miles, 5.3, 6L80E, 3.42 LS, 20" polished wheels, everything but moonroof and 6.2... 2019 Canyon SLT 4WD, White, 62k miles, 3.6, 8L45, 3.23 LS, 18" wheels

01-06-2025, 09:30 PM	#5
weq92f Registered User Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Dallas Texas Posts: 3,231	Re: What's the extra hole in the cluster bezel? . 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 __________________ 67 C10 fleet fuel injected '70 402, 700r4, 3.73 posi 07 335 sport turbo 6sp 94 Trans Am GT LT1 6sp posi -- sold after 22yrs 99 540 sport V8 6sp -- sold 73 240z L24 4sp -- given to friend 68 C10 step 350/350 3.73 open -- sold

Yesterday, 01:07 PM	#6
70STOVEBOLT Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Winona Lake, IN Posts: 6,439	Re: What's the extra hole in the cluster bezel? Wasn't that hole used for manual choke on 67/68 models? __________________ 70 C/10 SWB 402/TH400/3.73 "The Needy Beast" 200,000 Mile Club Disc Brake Club Owner installed options: Front Sway Bar Power Steering Power Brakes Cigar Lighter Courtesy Lights Deluxe Side Markers Wiper Delay Sliding Rear Window Power Windows Power Locks Sniper EFI 2015 Silverado 1500 LS 4.3/6L80/3.23 lowered 2" front & rear

Yesterday, 01:49 PM	#7
1970cstblazer All stock and staying that way Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Elkland, PA Posts: 1,883	Re: What's the extra hole in the cluster bezel? 1967-68 choke location: __________________ 1970 K/5 Blazer CST 4WD, TOTM winner December 2024! Medium Bronze, 93k ACT. miles, 350, 4 speed, rear positraction, 16.5" x 8.25" HD wheel option, tilt, tach, vacuum, AM/FM, manual throttle...Dad ordered and purchased new 4/70. Currently frame off restoration finally getting close to completion.. 1972 Cheyenne Super 20 2WD, DK Blue/White, 90K ACT. miles, 402, TH400, 4.10 open, tilt, tach, vacuum, A/C, AM/FM, manual throttle.. A mostly original paint never rusted Texas survivor... 2017 Sierra 1500 SLT 4WD, Black, 45k miles, 5.3, 6L80E, 3.42 LS, 20" polished wheels, everything but moonroof and 6.2... 2019 Canyon SLT 4WD, White, 62k miles, 3.6, 8L45, 3.23 LS, 18" wheels

Yesterday, 02:10 PM	#8
1970cstblazer All stock and staying that way Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Elkland, PA Posts: 1,883	Re: What's the extra hole in the cluster bezel? 1968 with either 327 or 396: __________________ 1970 K/5 Blazer CST 4WD, TOTM winner December 2024! Medium Bronze, 93k ACT. miles, 350, 4 speed, rear positraction, 16.5" x 8.25" HD wheel option, tilt, tach, vacuum, AM/FM, manual throttle...Dad ordered and purchased new 4/70. Currently frame off restoration finally getting close to completion.. 1972 Cheyenne Super 20 2WD, DK Blue/White, 90K ACT. miles, 402, TH400, 4.10 open, tilt, tach, vacuum, A/C, AM/FM, manual throttle.. A mostly original paint never rusted Texas survivor... 2017 Sierra 1500 SLT 4WD, Black, 45k miles, 5.3, 6L80E, 3.42 LS, 20" polished wheels, everything but moonroof and 6.2... 2019 Canyon SLT 4WD, White, 62k miles, 3.6, 8L45, 3.23 LS, 18" wheels

Yesterday, 07:40 PM	#10
Canuckvetter How did I get this OLD! Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Lamont County, AB, CANADA Posts: 1,050	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 Attached Images __________________ 1967 Oshawa built LWB Fleetside. 327,3 OTT, 515 Vermilion, CST, PS, PB, Shoulder Harness, Tach,Vac, Speed Warning, Choke Delete, Manual Throttle, Fawn interior. Dealer installed A/C 04/2015, N34 Rosewood Wheel 06/2023 Members who I have met personally. Metaldoc, chevnkevin, 62 Longbed, 72LHorn, 72MARIO, YBNORML, TBONE1964, Classic Bowties, Chevemall, Dagnabbitt.

Today, 12:41 AM	#14
Richard Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Southern California Posts: 2,903	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? __________________ Richard 1972 K10 Custom Deluxe SWB Fleetside My build https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=800746

Today, 05:07 AM	#15
58 Special Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2023 Location: Edmonton,Alberta, Canada Posts: 86	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.



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