What was the throttle for?

[AcampoDave]

Earlier trucks had a throttle. What did people use that for anyhow. Was it some kind of primitive backroad cruise control or what?

[jayoldschool]

No, it was used to control engine RPM when using the PTO. I installed it on my 65, and it makes starting in cold weather much much easier.

[mongocanfly]

Agreed with Jay..mostly for farm use..we used ours mostly In the hay field

[Steeveedee]

I was working at a shop in Idaho in '75, and we were trying to move a stuck truck in the icy snow. One guy had a 4WD truck. He put it in granny low, ran the engine up with the throttle cable, let out the clutch and got out to help and push. So there was his truck running above idle, and nobody in it! That's kind of risky, but there you go.

[AcampoDave]

I've been thinking that putting one on my 66 would be a cheap and convenient way to bump up the idle when using the A/C and I happen to have an unused spot in the bezel for it too.

[jayoldschool]

It will work perfectly for that. If you can wire AC, you could easily wire the factory style solenoid that was found on 70s cars and trucks that will kick the linkage at the carb when engaged.

[Short 3/4]

In the 80's I ordered a 'hand throttle kit' from my local Chevy dealer, thinking that would be a cool thing to have. What came was two factory style cable and knob assemblies in the box and nothing else. Used one to replace my non original choke, but couldn't figure out what to do with the other and still have it.
60-66 Factory Assembly Manual Has instructions on installing a hand throttle that show using the existing space to the left of the ignition. Unfortunately the picture of how to hook it up on the carb end is so vague I've never been able to figure out how to make it work. Anybody have a picture of the setup for a 6 cyl?
Great thread, thanks for reminding me of another project I've been meaning to get to for the last 30+ years.
Tom

[jayoldschool]

Two threads that will help. One is mine, and has a link to one that helped me... I used the exact info in post #12 to hook mine up.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...1&postcount=12

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=772841

[Short 3/4]

Originally Posted by jayoldschool

Two threads that will help. One is mine, and has a link to one that helped me... I used the exact info in post #12 to hook mine up.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...1&postcount=12

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=772841

Great Info. I may finally be able to get this done.
Thanks,
Tom

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by Short 3/4

In the 80's I ordered a 'hand throttle kit' from my local Chevy dealer, thinking that would be a cool thing to have. What came was two factory style cable and knob assemblies in the box and nothing else. Used one to replace my non original choke, but couldn't figure out what to do with the other and still have it.
60-66 Factory Assembly Manual Has instructions on installing a hand throttle that show using the existing space to the left of the ignition. Unfortunately the picture of how to hook it up on the carb end is so vague I've never been able to figure out how to make it work. Anybody have a picture of the setup for a 6 cyl?
Great thread, thanks for reminding me of another project I've been meaning to get to for the last 30+ years.
Tom

The squarebody version attached under the dash and actuated the accelerator pedal itself (rather than the carb end). Sounds like it might be a bit more "self contained".

And - some folks did use the hand throttle as a primitive cruise control. Worked pretty well on flat roadways but not so good in hilly terrain.

K