Change your throttle cable. Makes a big difference

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MisterB

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The throttle cable goes from the gas pedal, through the firewall, and to the carb. It's a steel line, inside of a plastic casing. After 40 years, the cable can rub the plastic off in areas, and create slack.

NAPA has new cables for about $20. I decided to swap mine out, and when I got under the dash to look, I could tell there was a good amount of play. Before when I'd step on the gas, I would have to press harder than I thought I should have to in order to get the truck to respond. Now I know why, and it's nice and crisp with no slack

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shiftpro

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hanks for the reminder. Simple things tend to get missed and we don't ever know what we're missing when we don't miss it. whew.
 

thecantaloupeman

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The throttle cable goes from the gas pedal, through the firewall, and to the carb. It's a steel line, inside of a plastic casing. After 40 years, the cable can rub the plastic off in areas, and create slack.

NAPA has new cables for about $20. I decided to swap mine out, and when I got under the dash to look, I could tell there was a good amount of play. Before when I'd step on the gas, I would have to press harder than I thought I should have to in order to get the truck to respond. Now I know why, and it's nice and crisp with no slack

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You know I've been having a similar issue. It seems like there is some slack. I'll give it a try. Thanks!

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PrairieDrifter

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Or switch to mechanical:Big Laugh:

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HotRodPC

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And don't think lubing an old cable is a great idea. It's not. The lube tends to act as a dust and dirt magnet. Then it turns the dirt and oil into gunk. Then comes some cold winter day and you nail the pedal to go through a yellow light and the throttle hangs wide open. Ask me how I know.
 

75Monza

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Or switch to mechanical:Big Laugh:

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Not to dampen enthusiasm, but I really don't like manual linkage. Little story to go with that, keep in mind, this has happened twice since I've had the truck. 7 years ago, I bought my '73 F250 highboy plow truck, manual linkage to the carb and for the clutch...hell, even the steering is manual, lol. Anyways, I plow with chains on all 4, downside of that is that as much torque ends up back through everything, it seems motor mounts are the weak spot. First time I broke a motor mount while plowing, it was drivers side, so motor torques over to the passenger side pulling my manual throttle linkage and going wide open throttle, at the same time it pulled the clutch linkage out of the socket so pushing in the clutch wasn't happening either. When this happened, I was 25' in front of my shop plowing towards the door with my boy standing in front of the door. Drum brakes full of melted snow don't help stop very well either and took another full second of panic before I twisted the key off in the switch and got the damn thing stopped.
Second time it happened, I was at least wise to what was happening, but still makes for a few very exciting seconds.
 

donnieray

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Not to dampen enthusiasm, but I really don't like manual linkage. Little story to go with that, keep in mind, this has happened twice since I've had the truck. 7 years ago, I bought my '73 F250 highboy plow truck, manual linkage to the carb and for the clutch...hell, even the steering is manual, lol. Anyways, I plow with chains on all 4, downside of that is that as much torque ends up back through everything, it seems motor mounts are the weak spot. First time I broke a motor mount while plowing, it was drivers side, so motor torques over to the passenger side pulling my manual throttle linkage and going wide open throttle, at the same time it pulled the clutch linkage out of the socket so pushing in the clutch wasn't happening either. When this happened, I was 25' in front of my shop plowing towards the door with my boy standing in front of the door. Drum brakes full of melted snow don't help stop very well either and took another full second of panic before I twisted the key off in the switch and got the damn thing stopped.
Second time it happened, I was at least wise to what was happening, but still makes for a few very exciting seconds.
******* man, what a story!
 

donnieray

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The throttle cable goes from the gas pedal, through the firewall, and to the carb. It's a steel line, inside of a plastic casing. After 40 years, the cable can rub the plastic off in areas, and create slack.

NAPA has new cables for about $20. I decided to swap mine out, and when I got under the dash to look, I could tell there was a good amount of play. Before when I'd step on the gas, I would have to press harder than I thought I should have to in order to get the truck to respond. Now I know why, and it's nice and crisp with no slack

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Good bit of advice there!
 

DoubleDingo

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Not to dampen enthusiasm, but I really don't like manual linkage. Little story to go with that, keep in mind, this has happened twice since I've had the truck. 7 years ago, I bought my '73 F250 highboy plow truck, manual linkage to the carb and for the clutch...hell, even the steering is manual, lol. Anyways, I plow with chains on all 4, downside of that is that as much torque ends up back through everything, it seems motor mounts are the weak spot. First time I broke a motor mount while plowing, it was drivers side, so motor torques over to the passenger side pulling my manual throttle linkage and going wide open throttle, at the same time it pulled the clutch linkage out of the socket so pushing in the clutch wasn't happening either. When this happened, I was 25' in front of my shop plowing towards the door with my boy standing in front of the door. Drum brakes full of melted snow don't help stop very well either and took another full second of panic before I twisted the key off in the switch and got the damn thing stopped.
Second time it happened, I was at least wise to what was happening, but still makes for a few very exciting seconds.

A torque strap, cable, or chain may keep things from twisting so much.
 

DoubleDingo

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I need to replace my throttle cable too. Had it stick wide open the other day. Luckily I was parked in the driveway when it happened. Was only trying get the fast idle to drop down. The engine sounded like it was about to blow.
 

Dutch Rutter

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Lokar's throttle cable is pretty slick and a easy install. While spendy I feel it was worth it. Had ample adjustment and I was able to get it all lined up properly even though i am running an rpm performer intake and a 1 inch spacer under my edelbrock for a total of 2-3" taller setup then OEM.
 

PrairieDrifter

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Not to dampen enthusiasm, but I really don't like manual linkage. Little story to go with that, keep in mind, this has happened twice since I've had the truck. 7 years ago, I bought my '73 F250 highboy plow truck, manual linkage to the carb and for the clutch...hell, even the steering is manual, lol. Anyways, I plow with chains on all 4, downside of that is that as much torque ends up back through everything, it seems motor mounts are the weak spot. First time I broke a motor mount while plowing, it was drivers side, so motor torques over to the passenger side pulling my manual throttle linkage and going wide open throttle, at the same time it pulled the clutch linkage out of the socket so pushing in the clutch wasn't happening either. When this happened, I was 25' in front of my shop plowing towards the door with my boy standing in front of the door. Drum brakes full of melted snow don't help stop very well either and took another full second of panic before I twisted the key off in the switch and got the damn thing stopped.
Second time it happened, I was at least wise to what was happening, but still makes for a few very exciting seconds.
That’s not the linkages fault though, also if your motor is moving I’m sure a cable would possibly do the same thing, although probably not as bad. And I don’t think my motor mounts are breaking anytime soon lol

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Arkansas_V8

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That’s not the linkages fault though, also if your motor is moving I’m sure a cable would possibly do the same thing, although probably not as bad. And I don’t think my motor mounts are breaking anytime soon lol

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Those are the ORD mounts right? If so how is the vibration?
 

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