Sloppy gas pedal? And a bonus question

[WillSquared]

So I'm slowly getting more acclimated to the truck and I've noticed the gas pedal is sitting almost on the floor and has quite a bit of slack where the cable connects to the pedal assembly behind the dash.  Is there any way to adjust that and firm up the pedal?  I've seen zip tie tricks but I'd rather use a more permanent solution.

Bonus question!!!! - I've got a fairly loud whine under acceleration.  Seems to get worse the faster you go.  Around 55-60mph it can be pretty loud.  If I take my foot off the gas it quiets quickly but is still there.  I was thinking ujoints going out maybe.  Did notice a small rear seal leak also and thought they might be contributing factors.  Any ideas as to what it might be?


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[zieg85]

Question #1....  Loose cable is normal to an extent.  If you can floor it and the carb goes to WOT than that is normal.

Question #2.... My thought is the rear end whining, been there, done that.  In my case the PO replaced the pinion seal to try and fix a leak and ran the nut tight crushing the crush sleeve and the pinion and ring meshing was off...  I ended up swapping the rear end when I pulled off the cover and found quite a bit of shavings in the clean gear lube...

[WillSquared]

Yeah, Im hoping its not the rear end.  I've noticed a thump at times also when I let off the throttle so all those don't bode well for that.  I guess Ill try and change out the fluid and see what I find.

[bake74]

     Grab your drive shaft and see if there is slop in your u-joint.  You should not be able to move it at all if the rear e-brake is on.

[cvbear]

On the gas pedal I suggest getting a buddy, open up the hood and take off the Air Cleaner.  Have you buddy sit in the cab and slowly depress the throttle.  you can watch the carb and if the throttle is not opening fully then you have an issue.  You can get more travel by removing the pedal assembly, heating with a torch and bending it.  Be careful, measure before and during so you know how much you are changing it. 

[BADAZ chevy guy]

Question 2.
Make sure you have the OEM throttle connecter bracket on the back of the carb. (Has a square hole that the cable plugs into)

[WillSquared]

I'll check the driveshaft tomorrow and my fluid level in the rear end.

On the throttle cable is there no way to adjust just the cable itself?   Seems like there should be a more direct fix but I know that's not always the case.  Also the truck has a crate 350 but was a 305 stock so i don't know if that might be responsible for the extra slack but I'd think it all sat essentially the same between the two engines.

Edit:  Didn't see the post needed to include year etc.  Its a 1986 C10 shortbed, 2wd.  305/350 stock.  Now with a Goodwrench 350.

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[WillSquared]

Alright fellas, checked things out more today.  Driveshaft is solid.  No play at all in it.  Checked the fluid level in the rear end and it was topped out and full.  I didnt open it up to check for shavings, just checked the fluid level today.  So I dont know.  It very well could be the rear still.  Im thinking maybe a rear bearing or something even?  The gravel guard, dust cover, converter cover is gone off the transmission so I dont know if maybe that some of the whine Im hearing.

Anyway, had a productive day otherwise.  Fixed the power steering pump hose that was leaking, unrigged the Jerry rigged switch to start it.  Idled it down some as it was idling too fast.  I will say not only do I have the sloppy throttle but it seems to be sticking also.  At times you have to feather the throttle to get it to go ahead and idle on down.  Tightened the loose bed bolts, removed the Jerry rigged trailer wiring harness from the back.

I did destroy the ash tray housing.  Can I buy that somewhere or do I need to be salvage yard shopping?

[bake74]

     The sticky throttle could be the cable, if it is dry inside it's sheath it can become sticky and bounce when you drive it.

[WillSquared]

Yeah, i sprayed some wd40 on the linkage out in the engine compartment and then shot some up in the sheath inside the cab so we will see if that helps at all.

[cvbear]

As far as I can tell, there is no easy way to adjust slack in gas pedal.  Our truck also went from stock 305 to a crate 350.  Getting the travel I wanted in gas pedal, where I could get WOT, required bending the pedal rod.  I am still not satisfied with the feel of the pedal, I replaced the cable but the alignment does not seem quite right (angle from firewall to fitting on carb seems pretty sharp) and I think this makes the pedal stiffer than I would like.

[WillSquared]

My pedal feel I guess isn't that bad.  I just have so much slack on the end of the cable.  My pedal rests just about 1/2" off the floor and I can pick it up probably 2" higher than it sits before it contacts the stop at the end of the throttle cable.

New question:  Apparently my heater motor has broken off of the plastic vent housing down under the dash. Looks as if the plastic just snapped off.  It's all just hanging loose at this point.  Can I buy a repro of that housing anywhere?  Also, previous owner has the heater motor wrapped in tin foil?  Why?


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[BADAZ chevy guy]

Aluminum foil is typically to keep Aliens out. Has the truck been at or near Roswell, NM lately?


















Sorry, I'm board.

[LTZ C20]

Hahaha. I love this site. I know I can pick up my pedal from inside the cab, I think it might be normal. Gas pedal goes down and brake goes up anyway

[WillSquared]

Haha, no Roswell.  I have found a few gremlins in it though.


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