Need bracket for factory cruise control in my 71

[ezzzzzzz]

My 71 240z has a level next to the choke for what would be a mechanical cruise control. Everything is there but the bracket at the gas pedal to hold the cable end. Has anyone any experience with this and/or does anyone have the mystery bracket I'm in need of?

[frankfou999]

My 71 240z has a level next to the choke for what would be a mechanical cruise control. Everything is there but the bracket at the gas pedal to hold the cable end. Has anyone any experience with this and/or does anyone have the mystery bracket I'm in need of?

On the '71, you had the remainder of what was the fast idle control on the early '70. This means that, in the early Z, the choke lever had one cable and the other lever was to control manually the fast idle. Later they bring the two cable choke lever that control the fast idle and the choke level. They stop the confusion in '72 by reviewing the desing of the center console.

Sorry, no cruise control on early Z's.

[ezzzzzzz]

Ahhhh... Live and learn....thanks!

[EScanlon]

Only the very early Z's with the EARLY console, (Ash Tray is the Fuse Area Cover), did you find the slot for the Hand Throttle Lever.

The Hand Throttle was for maintaining a higher RPM than a regular idle once you got the engine started with the Choke.

AFAIK, the Choke does not adjust the idle speed, although it may seem so from the extra rich mixture causing the engine to rev a bit faster.

This is NOT a Cruise Control, and the main reason DEALERS were disconnecting it was because Americans insist on using it as such.

IT HAS NO DISCONNECT. Only by MANUALLY pushing the lever back do you allow the engine to rev back down. If you step on the brake, the engine will CONTINUE to rev high due to the setting on the Hand Throttle. Would you unplug the Brake or Clutch pedal disconnect wiring, and then use the Cruise Control? That's what would be happening UNTIL you pushed the lever back.

That's also the reason the Hand Throttle was never installed on an Automatic transmission, because of the liability and danger involved.

So, if this is why you want the lever functional, do yourself a favor, disconnect the extra lever, and the knob, also the cable and sell them to someone who won't be using it as such. You'll probably earn more than enough to buy an aftermarket cruise control with the proper safety features built in.

Now one reason you wouldn't have the little bracket for the Hand Throttle is if you have an Automatic car. The Automatic Throttle Pedal had the Kick-Down Switch plate on the stem of the Pedal Linkage instead of the prong for the hand throttle. If your car is an Automatic and does not have the Kick Down Switch plate on the stem, then it's been replaced with a later manual pedal, unless you DO have the prong.

All of the Early Z's, with manual transmissions had the little prong above the top bend in the Accelerator Pedal Linkage. If yours doesn't, and it's a manual transmission, then it's been replaced with a later model.

Another reason could be is that you don't have the Hand Throttle Cable in the housing, and don't have the little nylon bushing that holds it to the Throttle Pedal.

That bushing is what holds the cable to the prong, while allowing the pedal to move back and forth without binding the cable.

When you pull back on the Hand Throttle, it shortens the cable and pulls back on the throttle linkage. You will actually see the foot pedal move.

FWIW

Enrique

[Bambikiller240]

On the '71, you had the remainder of what was the fast idle control on the early '70. This means that, in the early Z, the choke lever had one cable and the other lever was to control manually the fast idle. Later they bring the two cable choke lever that control the fast idle and the choke level. They stop the confusion in '72 by reviewing the desing of the center console.

Sorry, no cruise control on early Z's.

As long as there have been dual carburetors on the L24, there have been 2 cable ends controlling the chokes (1 for each carb). It's actually one LOOOONG cable with both ends attached to a carb, and the "middle of the cable" loops around the choke lever arm. It was done that way 70-73 at least.

[cremmenga]

I have an atachment on my 72 240z the all you have to do is take off your column cover and it slipps on right next to the turning signals, I also have the cables and the little "thing" for lack of name it attaches to in the engine compartment. I took it all out, and i am planning on selling it if anyone is interested.

[EScanlon]

The "little thingy" that you connect to, it also must connect to the engine in order to maintain the throttle. It also needs to have a sensor of some sort, whether vacuum or magnetic sensor that would read the rpm's of one of the engine components.

2¢

Enrique

[Mike]

I have the same extra cable on my '71. The cable was connected to the throttle linkage giving a driver the ability to set throttle thus eliminating the need for the foot throttle. Yes, it could be used as a cruise control. Nothing wrong with that.... BUT, there is a safety issue. Just as Enrique explained, the throttle had no method to disengage in case of an accident or emergency situation such as slamming on the brakes or pushing in the clutch. Current cruise controls will disengage if the brake is applied.

[ezzzzzzz]

I'm very familiar with mechanical throttle controls since I have driven many early Land Rovers with such a mechanism. I was told it was a CC. Yes, safety is an issue and I would never consider using such a device in any situation but open road and minimal vehicles. Thanks for the insight though. Cremmanga, I would be interested in these pieces. Send me a PM.

[EScanlon]

I'm very familiar with mechanical throttle controls since I have driven many early Land Rovers with such a mechanism. I was told it was a CC. Yes, safety is an issue and I would never consider using such a device in any situation but open road and minimal vehicles. Thanks for the insight though. Cremmanga, I would be interested in these pieces. Send me a PM.

Many of the people that ask about the Hand Throttle, have been misinformed about it's use as a Cruise Control. Since this is a common misunderstanding, and that this site (along with others) is seen as an "authoritative" site for information regarding the Z, it is important to make sure that the information we post here is correct.

That's the main reason for jumping so boisterously on it's being used as such. Unfortunately, there aren't that many folks in the U.S. that are familiar with a Choke lever (I don't want to CHOKE it I want to START it!) let alone how to use a Hand Throttle (Once the engine is started, you don't need to continue choking it, all you need to do is throttle it up to warm it up and keep it going.).

2¢

Enrique

[240znz]

Enrique,

As a fellow lucky series 1 owner, I have item in question in my car but it is disconnected. I have no intention of connecting it as I consider it to have the potential to kill me. It's that straight forward to me.

However, as a matter of interest only, although it wasn't intended to be used as a CC device, is it capable to sustain highway speeds if used to do so?

[NZeder]

My Series one had this setup and it was connected. Like 240znz I disconnected it.

The cable got a slight bent in it causing the accelerator to jam on - result panic and quick thinking - getting my foot under the accelerator and pulling it off the floor. A stop at the next garage to disconnect the bugger and that was they way it stayed.