Changing from cable to mechanical throttle linkage and need help

mjhcobra · #1 (**permalink**) 07-19-2016, 10:32 PM

Hi Guys,

I am tired of my throttle cable hanging up and have decided to change to the mechanical linkage.

1. Where can I purchase the mechanical linkage for a 428 FE single carb engine?
2. Pics of how the set up is installed will help. My EM pedal assembly has a cable that is routed thru the top of the foot box to the carb. How is the manual linkage connected to the throttle pedal?

Any info will help.

Martin

leroy17 · #2 (**permalink**) 07-19-2016, 10:44 PM

Measure the length of cable needed to replace what you currently have. Search for the closest appropriate length from Lokar, or any substitute. Make sure alignment for brackets keeps the cable nicely aligned and is not rubbing on the housing edge. Once all alligned you should have no worries. The key is to ensure that the cable and the housing line up so the cable is not dragging on an edge.

LMH · #3 (**permalink**) 07-19-2016, 11:35 PM

Are you wanting to make something like an original car has?
Larry

Gaz64 · #4 (**permalink**) 07-20-2016, 03:47 AM

Hi Martin,

Can you elaborate on what you mean by "hanging up"?

Is the cable binding somewhere, and you can't get around this?

Gary

Dimis · #5 (**permalink**) 07-20-2016, 04:19 AM

Is this what you were thinking?

Throttle Linkage per OEM 427/428 Throttle Linkage per OEM [427 428 1 x 4V] - $185.00 : Acton Custom Enterprises, Custom Metal for Cobras

Try Acton Cobra a.k.a: Mickmate on Clubcobra

mjhcobra · #6 (**permalink**) 07-20-2016, 07:04 AM

I currently have the Lokar cable and I feel the friction between the cable and the housing. The pedal is pretty hard to push because of the two return springs on it to get it to return to idle and it is hard to open the secondaries all the way.

The Acton linkage is what I an looking for but I am unclear how it is installed and connects to my gas pedal so pics would help. My cobra was just completed so all parts are new.

Acton looks like the answer.

LMH · #7 (**permalink**) 07-20-2016, 08:10 AM

Actons throttle linkage is designed for an original style pedal. He also sells a pedal that may be adaptable to your car depending on the style/shape of the footboxes. Could this pedal fit?
Gas Pedal [427 CCX Contemporary] - $250.00 : Acton Custom Enterprises, Custom Metal for Cobras
Larry

cycleguy55 · #8 (**permalink**) 07-20-2016, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjhcobra

Hi Guys,

I am tired of my throttle cable hanging up and have decided to change to the mechanical linkage.

1. Where can I purchase the mechanical linkage for a 428 FE single carb engine?
2. Pics of how the set up is installed will help. My EM pedal assembly has a cable that is routed thru the top of the foot box to the carb. How is the manual linkage connected to the throttle pedal?

Any info will help.

Martin

Here are a couple of links illustrating how the mechanical linkage works. You'll see 1 in the first link, and 2 different systems in the second link - figure out which will work best in your car and run with that:
Engine, transmission and brake stuff
ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND LINKAGE

All things being equal, I'd go with the linkage in the first diagram but, then again, I'm not familiar with E-M and which would work best. Perhaps someone with E-M experience can lend their informed opinion.

BTW - have you posted this in the E-M forum (http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/ever...k-julie-brett/)? It does appear to be a marque-specific question.

mjhcobra · #9 (**permalink**) 07-20-2016, 01:34 PM

The issue I have is that my gas pedal is designed for a clevis/cable connection on the top of the pedal, which exits the top of the foot box. I would need to modify the pedal for a linkage connection rather than a cable connection. The gas pedal is part of a 3 pedal system so a separate pedal will not work.

It appears that I will need to modify my pedal by adding a bar that will penetrate the top of the foot box for the linkage to connect to or connect the cable from the pedal inside the foot box to the linkage on top of the foot box.

As far as EM, their shop only deals with their current generation of Cobra. When EM sold and the shop moved from Florida to Texas, the new Owners do not know much about the first and second generation cars and do not offer parts for them. The EM manual states to use a Mustang II cable.

The EM website is still active, but there is little action on the group site on club cobra.

LMH · #10 (**permalink**) 07-20-2016, 04:45 PM

Could you install a rod that came out the side of the footbox near the top, that rotated with the pedal? Then you could use a crank arm to connect to the linkage.
Larry

leroy17 · #11 (**permalink**) 07-20-2016, 04:58 PM

Perhaps less spring pressure would make is lighter and still retrun to idle. I do not see how the spring pressure needs to be to much. Also ensure that the actual cable is not catching on the ends of the cable housing.

They are a smooth operating cable, so unless its an alignment issue or the spring pressure is to high, my only other thought is a very tight radius on the cable. Also, I would presume that the accelerator piviots nice and it is not this that is binding or catching on anything.

When I am talking alignment, I mean when the cable is pulled it comes out through the housing nice and centred and not against the side.

Gaz64 · #12 (**permalink**) 07-20-2016, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjhcobra

I currently have the Lokar cable and I feel the friction between the cable and the housing. The pedal is pretty hard to push because of the two return springs on it to get it to return to idle and it is hard to open the secondaries all the way.

The Acton linkage is what I an looking for but I am unclear how it is installed and connects to my gas pedal so pics would help. My cobra was just completed so all parts are new.

Acton looks like the answer.

Hi Martin,

I think we all understand about the cable dragging, and feel your pain.

Hope you can sort it.

Gary

RACERAL · #13 (**permalink**) 07-20-2016, 07:40 PM

Call Mike Forte he has a nice setup. You must be able to get into your footbox area , on top of it if you can. What kind of car are you putting it in.

Some pictures of mine here
My Factory 5 FE build.

mjhcobra · #14 (**permalink**) 07-20-2016, 09:26 PM

I have room on top of the foot box, which is where the cable exits. I will work on the cable to make sure it is not rubbing and that the pedal connection is aligned with the cable housing. With the springs and cable off the carb, the carb throttle plate is smooth and returns. With 2 springs hooked up, the 2 springs barley pull the pedal back to idle. Must be the cable.

I do like the Forte linkage, but the connection to the pedal is the issue. I will put up a few pics tomorrow.

mjhcobra · #15 (**permalink**) 07-20-2016, 09:36 PM

Here is a pic of the throttle pedal design. The hole in the end pulls a clevis connected to the cable down through the top of the foot box thru the pedal assembly frame.

Name: cobra gas pedal (Large).jpg
Views: 116
Size: 85.1 KB

Name: cobra gas pedal (Large).jpg
Views: 116
Size: 85.1 KB

mjhcobra · #16 (**permalink**) 07-20-2016, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RACERAL

Call Mike Forte he has a nice setup. You must be able to get into your footbox area , on top of it if you can. What kind of car are you putting it in.

Some pictures of mine here
My Factory 5 FE build.

My car is made by Everett Morrison.

leroy17 · #17 (**permalink**) 07-20-2016, 11:12 PM

The Lokar cable can handle quite a tight radius and still operate smoothly. So I am wondering if the cable housing has been kinked (say at the footbox penetration point...... hehe penetration). The cable should be able to be push/pulled by hand through the housing easily, if the spring is not bringing it back, thats an issue. Looking at the pedal diagram, I can only presume that there are some sharp angles for the cable to travel. A photo may clarify.

Snake2998 · #18 (**permalink**) 07-22-2016, 01:41 AM

Maybe consider using a very short straight cable (3" to 4") to go from the pedal to the mechanical lineage outside the foot box, that way you could use your existing pedal assembly and connections and the cable will have almost zero friction.

mjhcobra · #19 (**permalink**) 07-24-2016, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snake2998

Maybe consider using a very short straight cable (3" to 4") to go from the pedal to the mechanical lineage outside the foot box, that way you could use your existing pedal assembly and connections and the cable will have almost zero friction.

I had the same thought and will look into it further.

mjhcobra · #20 (**permalink**) 07-24-2016, 10:11 AM

I was able to fix the issue for now. The clevis that connected to the gas pedal arm did not line up with the cable as it came through the top of the foot box. The steel cable was grinding a groove into the aluminum cable housing end. I removed the cable, bent the gas pedal arm to line up with the cable end, and now the cable pulls straight down. Much smoother.

I still do not like the cable and will look into the mechanical linkage. I just don't trust that little cable.

Thanks for the comments Guys.

Martin