Throttle cable length???

[hdgapeach]

My throttle cable is "catching" inside the sheath causing acceleration quirks that's just plain irritating. Looked at all the usual online sources for a replacement which results with my question. I have a '76 CJ5 with the AMC 304 , stock Motorcraft 2V carb and linkage. The cable that's on it now kinda twists to take up slack in the length, which I think is causing the cable to wear heavy on the plastic sleeve, cut a grove and maks the cable "grabby" when pushing the go pedal.

The shopping I've done has shown two different lengths for my year Jeep. One is 18 and change inches long and the other is 21+ inches long. Does anyone have a clue what length throttle cable would be correct for my ride and, hopefully, not require twisting the cable to nearly a complete loop to take up the slack? Sort of hard to remove, measure and replace the one on the Jeep now due to it being a daily driver and the significant other drove it to school this morning.

Thanks for your input folks!

 

[mstar]

Don't know about length. You might want to double check the ground between engine and chassis.If the ground is compromised your throttle cable becomes the ground circuit. Also Lokar makes a very nice universal throttle cable kit that can be trimmed to length and is stainless steel with a Teflon liner if you wanted a better fit and smooth operation. Mike S.

 

[hdgapeach]

You're right on about the grounding. Took care of that issue a while back when I installed the Painless harness.

And I appreciate the Lokar suggestion. That universal kit never entered my to consider (and I've used them in other custom installs). I figured there'd only be one correct length cable for what I need. Sometimes I hate options, especially when it concerns something like this that I thought really didn't need an option other than for a custom install.

 

[Petescj]

The shorter of the 2 cables is for a 8 cylinder and the longer is for the 6 cylinder. When I went from the carter carb to the Mc2100 on my last 6 cyl it was recomended to use the 8cyl cable cause it was shorter.

 

[hdgapeach]

Thanks Petescj.

Wife just got home and I'm fixin' to go out and stretch a tape to see what it has in it. I'm hoping it has the 21-1/4" in it now. That would make the 18+" cable just right considering the amount of "kink" mine looks to have in it.

I think I'll throw a wrench if it already has the 18" on it!!!

 

[hdgapeach]

Stretched that puppy out and it came to 25-1/4". No wonder it was coiled up. Once needed length was determined by subtracting the excess, I came up with a figured length of 17-3/4". The 18+ one ought to do just fine. Thanks guys!

 

[Petescj]

Stretched that puppy out and it came to 25-1/4". No wonder it was coiled up. Once needed length was determined by subtracting the excess, I came up with a figured length of 17-3/4". The 18+ one ought to do just fine. Thanks guys!

Yeah "coiled up" isnt the way you want to describe your throttle cable. 18 in will work just fine

 

[Hedgehog]

Sorry Peter, but I hae found a need to disagree. I just went through getting the corect cable for my 360. This seems like it should be simple, but that wasn't my experience. Some stock cables are surprisingly long, even in stock form. Mine had a loop/coil in it straight from the factory, the idea is long gentle bends = less friction. In other years the cables were shorter though. Unfortunately I simply could not find a cable that fit either from the carb to the cable stop plate or one that had the right length on the gas pedal side. In my case the cable was far to long on the gas pedal side so cringing all the way, I ended up cutting the cable and installing another cable stop inside the cab.

 

[hdgapeach]

Placed an order for the 18-1/4" cable. If it matches the picture in the catalogue (yeah right!) it should do the trick.

Like everyone says; The little things end up being the most labor/cost intensive. I hope I don't end up needing to return it for a longer one. Per my measurements (pretty accurate, actually), if all the anchor points are in the right place, it should be good with enough wiggle slack to compensate for engine movement during shifting.

 

[Posi]

Here are the # I have in my notes


77 to 83 CJ V8 18-3/4"
81 to 86 CJ6 cyl 24-1/4"
76 to 78 CJ6 cyl 30-1/2"
76 CJ V8 21-1/4"

 

[hdgapeach]

The 21-1/4" was the one causing the debate for me. The one I have is 25-1/2" and is way too long (about 8-1/2"). We'll see how the 18-1/4" fits. If I need to I'll end up swapping for the 21-1/4". Got my fingers crossed.

I'm wondering if the PO installed lift kit with skid pan drop spacers might be why I'm measuring shorter than the recommended. Theoretically, that should have tilted the engine down and back toward the firewall some. That should take a little length off, maybe?

 

[Petescj]

Sorry Peter, but I hae found a need to disagree. I just went through getting the corect cable for my 360. This seems like it should be simple, but that wasn't my experience. Some stock cables are surprisingly long, even in stock form. Mine had a loop/coil in it straight from the factory, the idea is long gentle bends = less friction. In other years the cables were shorter though. Unfortunately I simply could not find a cable that fit either from the carb to the cable stop plate or one that had the right length on the gas pedal side. In my case the cable was far to long on the gas pedal side so cringing all the way, I ended up cutting the cable and installing another cable stop inside the cab.

My '78 with the 8 cylinder had a short cable with just the straight pull. Your in one of those odd ball years so maybe yours is longer and coiled up. I just dont see that as a good set up. Maybe Im picturing it wrong.

If the 18" one doesnt work for him I"ll buy him another one.

 

[Hedgehog]

Oh I agree, the setup looks poorly engineered. I actually went to my local Jeep expert to get the "Proper" cable, he smiled and said I did have the proper one. Big loopy cable seem to be the norm for my year Jeep. The emergency brake cables are insainly long with big loops in them. They look wrong but aren't.

 

[hdgapeach]

Got my 18+ inch throttle cable in the mail this morning. Snapped that puppy in there and looks like it was custom made to fit my particular Jeep. Thanks for all the advise, comments and suggestions. This new cable has just enough arc and slack to accommodate the engine moving around when torque twists it.

Happy, happy, happy!!!

 

[Petescj]

Got my 18+ inch throttle cable in the mail this morning. Snapped that puppy in there and looks like it was custom made to fit my particular Jeep. Thanks for all the advise, comments and suggestions. This new cable has just enough arc and slack to accommodate the engine moving around when torque twists it.

Happy, happy, happy!!!

Good I didnt want to have to buy you another one.

 

[hdgapeach]

Good I didnt want to have to buy you another one.

You never had anything to worry 'bout! The offer was noticed and appreciated, though.