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Gas Pedal Adjustment

I noticed a flaw our cars seem to have and want to share it with you guys so you don't leave horsepower on the table.  On both the Blackbird AND the Red-Winged Blackbird, the throttle arm attached to the gas pedal didn't move the throttlebody to full throttle as is.  I had to bend the throttle arms on both cars to get full movement out of the throttlebody.  Before bending (adjusting) the throttle arms on both cars, there was about an inch and a half of slack in the throttle cable.  After bending (adjusting) the throttle arms until I got full travel out of the throttlebody, there was about half an inch of slack in the cables.

After finding this discrepancy on both my Birds, I'm convinced this problem is widespread.  I'd suggest checking your cars guys.  I think a lot of you will find the same thing I did.
William

Gas Pedal Adjustment

Reply #1
I know Ranger people use zip ties or a spacer to take the slack out of the cable.
Matt
1984 Thunderbird - 89 302 HO, GT40 heads w/ Trick Flow springs, E303 cam, Edelbrock Performer 289 intake and 600 cfm 4bbl, Mustang headers, Jegs o/r H pipe, Dynomax lers, Mustang AOD and shifter, Mustang 8.8 w/ 3.73s, 3G alternator, Mustang front and rear sway bars, KYB SN-95 front struts and shocks, and 11" front brakes.

1988 Mustang GT - GT40 heads, Explorer intake, 70mm throttle body, 70mm MAF, Crane 1.7 rrs, E303 cam, Kirban Kwik shifter w/ Pro 5.0 deluxe handle, aluminum clutch quadrant and firewall adjuster, o/r h pipe, Dynomax lers, 3G alternator, aluminum radiator, and 3.27 gears.
 
1986 Cougar 5.0, 1989 Mark VII LSC 5 speed, 1980 Mercury Zephyr 4 door (sold)


Gas Pedal Adjustment

Reply #3
As always Eric, you're on top of things.  :)
William

Gas Pedal Adjustment

Reply #4
While I'm trying to figure out my light issues tomorrow, I'll check this out as well.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

Gas Pedal Adjustment

Reply #5
I used a nylon spacer from the hardware store and a hose clamp (to hold the spacer on) to take the slack out of the throttle cable on my T-bird. I think I used a 1/2" nylon spacer.
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.

Gas Pedal Adjustment

Reply #6
[quote=
I spend money I don't have, To build  cars I don't need, To impress people I don't know

HAVE YOU DRIVEN A FORD LATELY!!

Gas Pedal Adjustment

Reply #7
Be
I spend money I don't have, To build  cars I don't need, To impress people I don't know

HAVE YOU DRIVEN A FORD LATELY!!

Gas Pedal Adjustment

Reply #8
Quote from: TOM Renzo;371963
One thing at a time Vinny. Just messing around.

You may be kidding, but you're right. Nothing is happening til the electrical is fixed.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

Gas Pedal Adjustment

Reply #9
also if you have an automatic they are not strong enough to pull the tv cable if you have tightned it at all, I went with the 1994 mustang pedal wich is wider and stronger. But I did drive my car into another car because it was wider:punchballs:, anyone want to buy a 1994 pedal.:DLOL
1986 T-bird
347 stroker motor
185 AFR Heads
TrickFlow cam 224/232-542/563
Victor Jr. intake CNC ported
Quickfuel Holley 800 cfm
Hooker 1-3/4 long tubes
Custom built AOD
B&M 3000 stall
8.8 w/4.30 gears
UPR K-member,A-Arms,and coil-overs
UPR upper/lower control arms
Strange shocks/struts
26x10x15 M/T slicks
11.48@119.27
(coming soon Tremec 3550)
The Finished Product
http://s174.photobucket.com/albums/w92/03grinnie/T-bird/

Gas Pedal Adjustment

Reply #10
Be careful when doing this kind of adjustment. If it over travels and puts pressure on the throttle blade you can break the shaft. Some setups have a buffer spring to prevent that. Have someone under the hood and check for full throttle as you MAT THE ACCELERATOR.

Because of that very concern, I did that.  It's adjusted perfectly.
William

Gas Pedal Adjustment

Reply #11
Quote from: 347Thunder;371977
also if you have an automatic they are not strong enough to pull the tv cable if you have tightned it at all, I went with the 1994 mustang pedal wich is wider and stronger. But I did drive my car into another car because it was wider:punchballs:, anyone want to buy a 1994 pedal.:DLOL


:rollin:
William

Gas Pedal Adjustment

Reply #12
Quote from: TOM Renzo;371964
Be careful when doing this kind of adjustment. If it over travels and puts pressure on the throttle blade you can break the shaft. Some setups have a buffer spring to prevent that. Have someone under the hood and check for full throttle as you MAT THE ACCELERATOR.

The SEFI 5.0 throttle cable has a spring and shaft on the end that only lets the throttle open a certain amount. It's nice they did that so you can't open the throttle too far. I put the spacer in mine because the pedal had about 1/2" of play before it moved the cable. I think all the SEFI 5.0 throttle cables in Fox cars are like this. I thought mine was stretched but I swapped in a throttle cable from another 5.0 T-bird, a Mark VII, and a Mustang and they all have the same 1/2" of play before the throttle moved.

I did check and with the pedal all the way to the floor the throttle is wide open and not over traveling. I think the cables are just a little long so the gas pedal sits lower than the brake pedal.
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.

 

Gas Pedal Adjustment

Reply #13
Thuns
I spend money I don't have, To build  cars I don't need, To impress people I don't know

HAVE YOU DRIVEN A FORD LATELY!!