Gas pedal bracket modified. Why?

[jumpsoffrock]

I just realized the gas pedal bracket in my truck--which works fine, the truck drives perfect--apparently had its top cut off, and you can feel the rough edge of the cut too.
I have a spare on hand that appears to be normal.

Can someone tell me what the upper part of this bracket it used for and surmise why someone would cut it off and what that entails?

Thanks ya'll.

['68OrangeSunshine]

The full piece accomodates a Manual Throttle cable or linkage. A knob on the dash, under the Choke or Wipers knob sets the throttle setting on the carb, so the driver's foot doesn't have to be on the gas pedal.
I've heard them called a Poor Man's Auto Pilot, and a Dead Man Switch.
While mostly not intended for highway use, there are applications when parked, like keeping the RPMs up when running a PTO appliance, like a tow hook. Another use would be for a farmer [operating solo] to set the throttle at a crawl and get in the bed and toss out haybales as the truck moped along a field. If it was about to hit a ditch, he could hop back in the cab and turn the truck around, then set up for another lane.

What it was not designed for -- as one Iranian foreign student found out on a cross- country drive -- was setting the throttle, at freeway speeds, and going back to the fridge in his RV to make a sandwich. Probably an urban legend.
But on a long drive, you could use it temporarily, to ease a charlie-horse in your accellerator leg.
Not a very common accessory.

Why was it modified, [cut off]? Not necessary without the need for a functioning Manual Throttle.

[jumpsoffrock]

Well in that case I might leave it alone, sounds unnecessary at this point, thanks for the reply!

['68OrangeSunshine]

I have one too. And the now rare Throttle Knob and Cable. I'd like to rig a throttle cable, but not sure what I need it for. There are linkages missing.
Would look cool with the Wipers over on the left, over the Light switch and Choke and Throttle Knobs on the right. Add a '68 3-spoke wheel and I could tell the gullible it's a prototype GMC Jimmy, 2 years before production.

[jumpsoffrock]

Originally Posted by '68OrangeSunshine

I have one too. And the now rare Throttle Knob and Cable. I'd like to rig a throttle cable, but not sure what I need it for. There are likages missing.
Would look cool with the Wipers over on the left, over the Light switch and Choke and Throttle Knobs on the right. Add a '68 3-spoke wheel and I could tell the gullible it's a prototype GMC Jimmy, 2 years before production.

[pjmoreland]

A TH400 kickdown switch can also be attached to that bracket, like shown in this thread.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...as+pedal+th400

['68OrangeSunshine]

The plot thinkens

[jumpsoffrock]

Hmm, that is mighty interesting, seeing that I'll be installing a factory AC setup....I might want to use the intact bracket for support. Thanks very much for the link.