I am having trouble with my accel. linkage (2bbl carb)

[TheDude]

Hi,

I have been posting several questions about my 2bbl carburetor upgrade but I am almost finished. I have all the lines and hoses connected. I will hook up the electric choke after I install a working accelerator linkage. Here is my problem: (my specs: '68 200ci engine & 2bbl 5200 holley carb)

I cannot fabricate an accel. linkage to extend from the stock linkage to the 2bbl carburetor. The accel. arm is one inch closer to the engine than the throttle linkage on the carburetor is. This website has been very helpful but I cannot figure out how the accelerator linkage setup in this picture works. If the vertical rod moves upward and the carburetor throttle lever moves clockwise how does that piece of aluminum not hinder the movement of both? I have tried using a piece of aluminum to extend the linkage but it had to slant towards the carburetor because of the one inch gap. When I tried to move the carburetor throttle lever with the aluminum held in place it bent. I have run out of ideas for the accelerator linkage and I call for the help of Ford Six forum members to come up with a solution. I will keep trying...

Thank you very much,

Justin

 

[CobraSix]

Why not try using a piece of Aluminum flat bar like this:

Granted, that is for a offy set up, but the same basic concept will work. You'll need to run to a local ACE or TruValu hardware store that carries almost every single type of fastener known to man. You'll need a ball joint with a threaded bolt on the other end. Also, when you're there, pick up about 6 feet of AL flat stock, about 1" wide. YOu may need to make a couple to get it right. I know, measure first then cut, but you need to see how it moves to get it right.

Also, DO NOT use nylalock nuts! They will melt that close to the exhaust and end up leaving you SOL when you're linkage pops off (Don't ask how I know this one).

Slade

 

[TheDude]

Thanks Slade. Would Home Depot or Sears Hardware carry the aluminum flat bar and ball joint with the threaded end?

 

[CobraSix]

home depot usually carries the flat stock, but I know they usually fall way short on fittings. I got mine from a TruValue. They and Ace usually carry a lot more auto fittings. Large NAPAs are good too.

Slade

 

[TheDude]

Thanks

 

[Anonymous]

That solution won't work for this carb - trust me. If you look in this picture, http://www.albertpenello.com/mustang/throttlearm.jpg, you'll see the original throttle pin in the center of the linkage. That pin was designed to be pulled back, not pushed up. You'll have the wrong angle if you try to push up on that pin. Also, that pin is placed farther forward of the existing linkage (in your picture you just needed to RAISE the linkage, for this carb you have to raise it AND move it forward), so you'll have to fabricate an "L" from the throttle arm to make it work, which will be more complicated. And when you make it fit it won't work properly anyway.

Just replicate what I've done - it will be easier. You have to move your leverage point outward to be able to push up on this linkage. I can't describe it any better than that picture. Make a plate with two holes that you can screw into the existing holes on the carb. Make a hole out a couple of inches and put one of those posts on it, screw it on, and hook up the existing linkage. It should work fine and took about 10 min to fabricate. If your aluminum is bending, then you're using too thin of a piece. Get yourself a sturdier piece of metal.

 

[CobraSix]

Or just go cable and not worry about it.

I wasn't saying mine was the 100% solution, it was just to give an idea of how to fab up some flat stock. Mine was for an offy where I needed to make up for some distance change.

Slade

 

[TheDude]

Thanks for the help Slade . I will pick up some AL flat bar and fasteners this weekend.

Albert,

After reading your post I believe I can fabricate a working linkage using some AL flat bar. Here is what I am thinking:

Since my accel. linkage is one inch closer to the engine than the throttle linkage on the carb I am thinking that I can:

Drill a hole through the end of the accel. linkage (and leave out the vertical rod)
fasten some flat bar to it.
Bend the flat bar out one inch to line it up with the carb. throttle linkage
The top of the flat bar now lines up with the carb. throttle linkage
Drill a hole in the top of the flat bar and fasten another piece of flat bar to it
That new piece of horizontal flat bar will now bolt to the carb. throttle linkage.

Will this work well? I am going to try it anyway. I do not have any other ideas at the moment.

Thanks for all the help everyone.

 

[Anonymous]

Slade - don't get me wrong; I wasn't slamming you. I was just saying that solution wouldn't work in this instance. 8)

TheDude - you can try it, but it's not going to work well. I just looked at the car to confirm and I think it's a mistake to go this route.

That linkage post is too close to center to make an up/down movement. You're too close to the fulcrum - it was designed to be pulled back not pushed up. And you won't have very much vertical play to you're throttle is going to be very sensitive.

If you don't believe me, put your finger under that knob and try to push up. It's VERY difficult and it quickly reaches the apex before wanting to move back. I don't even think you can get full throttle this way.

Also, that post is too far out - the way I did it I have the post on the extension facing towards the engine to bring the throttle back to it's natural vertical postion.

Look here:

Save yourself some time - I went through the trial-and-error already. It takes less than 10min to fab up what I did.

 

[TheDude]

In your application, does the vertical rod contact the tab (the one the little green arrow is pointing to) directly and push up on it? Thanks for the help.

 

[CobraSix]

No offense was taken...just making sure I was clear.

I still think converting to cable throttle will be much better. It really isn't that difficult. Took me maybe an hour once I got all the parts. It's really easy for early falcons and mustangs that can utilize a V-8 throttle rod.

Slade

 

[Anonymous]

Sorry for interrupting but no, TheDude, I believe the tab you are referring to is a part of the carburetors throttle arm. It rotates with the rest of the throttle arms assembly.



-Chris