Engine Howell EFI - OEM Throttle Rod Length

[John Casey]

Did anyone else discover their OEM throttle linkage rod was too short with the Howell TBI?

The throttle body remained open a crack with the peddle in the full up position. It appeared about an inch too short.

The apparent solution was to cut the rod, thread it, and use a coupler.

Well...the rod was too narrow for a 3/8, I could not get a 5/16 or M8 to grab.

A local friend suggested we needed to find someone with a lathe, and then I notice his 10" King grinder on the bench.

We stuck the 1/2 rods in a drill and had enough room on the side of the grinder wheel to grind it down to 5/16 (ish) spinning against the wheel.

I wouldn't want to hang from it, but it should help me get true idle and WOT.

 

[Jeep Soup]

Great Shop Ingenuity !!
I have made many a Modifications with a Welder, Torch, and a Grinder.
The Grinder makes it look Pretty.

 

[TSB8C]

I had a similar issue when I did my engine swap with EFI. I have the Edelbrock Proflow system and noticed the gas pedal could not fully open or close the throttle either direction. I removed the floor mount the gas pedal is on, welded some extension "ears" sticking up about an inch higher, then put the pedal back on and bolted it back to the floor. Now the pedal has a further "throw" before hitting the floor or reaching the end of its travel, and I can get full open throttle as well as fully closed (to idle level) with no issues. Note: my linkage at the throttle body is a cable rather than a rod as your is. And since I have an auto Transmission , the TV connection to the Transmission is also a cable as well, also mounted to the same bracket at the throttle body.

 

[boney]

Great Shop Ingenuity !!
I have made many a Modifications with a Welder, Torch, and a Grinder.
The Grinder makes it look Pretty.

I used to think I was good at welding. Then I realized I was good at grinding to make my welds look good.

 

[TSB8C]

I used to think I was good at welding. Then I realized I was good at grinding to make my welds look good.

Bigger the blob, better the job, right?

Do your best, then grind the rest.