Throttle Cable

[Tonka Man]

I've installed a different engine in my '71.  The other one had a 2 barrel carb and the new engine has a 4 barrel Quadrajet.  Does anyone know if the throttle cables will be different (like length)?  If so, do you have a recommendation on a replacement?

I check Summit and there literally dozens of options.  Yikes!

[cny first gen 71]

When I switched from 2 barrel to 4 barrel (q-jet) I used original cable worked fine.

[willie]

I am guessing if you change from a small block to a big block, then the cables will be different. However if you just change the carbs on the same block you might be good to go!!! (as per Steve)         The reason i am saying the small block to a big block is i was looking for a NOS BB cable and mistakenly bought a SB cable and it was too short. I then looked for a correct BB cable NOS and i found one, and Yes the NOS BB cable is longer!

[cny first gen 71]

Good point Willie, yea I would assume there is a difference from sb to bb. Do you still have the small block cable or did you send it back?

[willie]

Steve i dont send anything back unless its broken, i figure eventually i will use it.

[stangeba]

Link to the pics of my stock 71 350 4bbl that I did add cruise control to.

Automatic THM350 and NO A/C.

https://1971montecarlo.wordpress.com/2025/02/19/linkage-for-my-71-350-qudrajet-with-cruise-control/

[Tonka Man]

Thanks for the insights.

My poor car is a Frankenstein of parts.  The original 350 engine is long gone and was replaced by a 350 pickup engine from the mid to late 1970's.  When I got the car, that engine was tired and I had a fresh 350 rebuild with 327 heads on it.  That is what I've put into it now.  The old truck 350 I took out was a 2 barrel and my new rebuild has the 4 barrel.

Thanks for the pictures Bruce.  I'll go back to the drawing board here and see what I can do.  I will also go check my other two cars (both 1970 models) and see if they even still have their throttle cables on them.

[420ponies]

As to what Steve said, SBC cable will work on the 4 bbl set-up. 

[DragCat]

Just throwing this out there..............When I did the crate swap I had to get one of these Tom didn't have one In Stock but he pointed me in the right direction 😁 I don't think I bought the holley version but same deal

 

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/hly-20-284?seid=srese1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIyOvGgp_SiwMVvJ5aBR0eeQHrEAQYAyABEgKllvD_BwE

 

[Scott S.]

The factory throttle cable should work on aftermarket carbs...... It's the holding bracket that makes the difference.

I found that Holley and Edelbrock use different brackets that change the geometry of the cable. 

[Tonka Man]

I did a comparison of the three cars I have.  With the cables fully outstretched, I have three different lengths - 16 1/2", 17 1/2" and 18".

Fortunately, I was able to use the one on the Pickle and adjust everything to make it work.

[cooter]

Does anyone have a part number? mine just broke. 1972 350 2brl.  my cable measures 20" from tip to tip. I have been on Internet for a week trying to find this thing.

[cooter]

I can find 21” at original parts group. 

[cny first gen 71]

I have a nos one in my garage for my 71 I'll get down to measure it tomorrow and let you know.

[willie]

Cory the GM part number 397 3862.  I am not with the cars right now so i cant measure it for you, but will get it for you by tonight!!

[cny first gen 71]

It looks like 21 inches overall length it's still in packaging.  Willie gave you part # but here's the tag. Sorry it's upside down and no sorry it's not for sale another member got a great deal and did the same for me.

[cooter]

Thanks for the help. The one I removed is 20”. This has really been a struggle to find. I have been on internet ever since Friday of last week trying to figure this out. #3973963 seems to be a 20” from what I have read. Do you have that cable on a 2brl?

[1970mcss]

I see a few on ebay. There is one in a gm package for 120.00. The parts place also shows they have one

[cny first gen 71]

1 hour ago, cooter said:

Thanks for the help. The one I removed is 20”. This has really been a struggle to find. I have been on internet ever since Friday of last week trying to figure this out. #3973963 seems to be a 20” from what I have read. Do you have that cable on a 2brl?

The car was originally a 2 barrel but I switched it to a 4 barrel q-jet used the same original cable so either will work. I haven't switched out the cable yet and don't think I will unless something happens, that's why I picked up this cable so I don't get stranded. 

[Leghome]

I just went to our local Chevy dealer and told the parts guy what I needed. he looked and could not find anything and a friend happened to be walking by, another parts dept guy, and he pulled a book from under the counter opened it to a page and showed us what we were looking for. He has been a parts dept guy for over 35 years. The only thing I had to do was shorten it about 1 or 2 inches and used one of those things you smash onto a overhead door cable to hold hte cable in place. This method has workd on two different cables now as I went from a holley to Elderbrock carb. Now I have a locar cable because of my Holley Sniper.

[willie]

I have the same length as Steve has 21" for my NOS one. However i also have a used one that has 2 pcs of metal about an inch square that has 2 small bolts through it to hold it in place, to shorten the cable just like Larry stated!!!