Throttle Lever - Can it be fabricated?

[Go240Zags]

I don't know if anybody, or everybody, has been following the recently completed auction on eBay for Datsun 240Z, NOS Choke- Throttle Assembly at this link. It went for $405. Crazy me I started thinking $150 wouldn't be bad, even though I knew it would go for twice that.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1,1&item=7986384226&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT

I know a lot of Series 1 owners drool over these things, myself included. I don't know why I am sure it is an unreasonable obsession, especially for those of us who don't have really early Series 1 cars. I guess it's just the something different factor. That being said, how hard could it be to fabricate one of these things? I am by no means offering to do so, but someone out there must have the skills, it has to be easier than the OEM-style headlight covers Will has been working on. If you could get the lever right and plastic knob it wouldn't take too much more than the cable. Or, for safety's (and liabilities) sake it could just be there without actually be attached to the throttle pedal. Maybe use it as a kills switch to deter theft. Just talking out loud, what does everybody think. I'd buy a good replica, I already have a few extra early choke units, plates, whatever they're called.

[PrOxLaMuS©]

WoW!!

time to start searching junkyards for those!! jeesh!!

it should be easy to fabricate though..

try a search i remember a thread with pictures about the pedal assembly.. cable and lever ... very detailed thread.

[texasz]

Remember that there is more than just the lever in the console...the pedal area has some work that may be needed also.

[26th-Z]

Maybe you guys aren't keeping track of prices, but a hand throttle set-up complete and brand new has been going in the $400 and up range for well over a year. The last three I have seen were the square knobs and the cheapest of the lot went for $350 used. Brand new ones have been as high as $500. I tried to get one out of a junk yard a couple of months ago and thought the $100 price was a steal. Remember that thread?

[texasz]

Maybe you guys aren't keeping track of prices, but a hand throttle set-up complete and brand new has been going in the $400 and up range for well over a year. The last three I have seen were the square knobs and the cheapest of the lot went for $350 used. Brand new ones have been as high as $500. I tried to get one out of a junk yard a couple of months ago and thought the $100 price was a steal. Remember that thread?

Sadly I am all too aware of the going price of these...I got my used one late last year for $300 (included the whole center console and the correct pedal). Just saw some crazy person with a BIN price on a NOS one of $850! :eek: Sorry but that's just tooo much, I hated coughing up the $300 for my used one as it is.

[ezzzzzzz]

Can someone post a picture of the handthrottle bracket at the pedal end? Dimensions would be great too!

[26th-Z]

This is the most comprehensive article on the subject of hand throttles I know of. http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10229&highlight=hand+throttle

This is where you owe me a beer for not searching the archives, ezzzzzz.

Yes Texasz! Remember that collection? I watched all of the items someone "found" in their dad's garage. All way overpriced and all went unsold - no bids.

But back to the original question. Read the thread I linked and ask away about making one. Its a simple mechanical device. The knob is going to be the most difficult.

[texasz]

Yes Texasz! Remember that collection? I watched all of the items someone "found" in their dad's garage. All way overpriced and all went unsold - no bids.

Yes!! Can you believe the BIN price for the series I fuse box!! OMG!! :surprised

[texasz]

Can someone post a picture of the handthrottle bracket at the pedal end? Dimensions would be great too!

In addition to the thread mentioned (I just read it and there's a lot of good info there!) I will point to my website again for many pix (not much if any in the way of write ups but the pix may help out). http://www.pape.ws/allan_and_rosanne/Z-Car_Stuff/Hand%20Throttle/

[EScanlon]

Something very important to note on the third picture in your collection.

The picture that's labeled: throttlecableattachment3.jpg ; is showing the throttle cable mounted incorrectly.

The Bracket shown in the first picture should be clamping the metal end of the cable sleeve. The 3rd picture shows it BEHIND it. The Nylon washer that's in front of the clamping bracket should be clipped ONTO the accelerator pedal "wishbone". The ball on the end of the throttle cable, does not attach to anything, it pulls on the nylon sleeve when you pull on the hand throttle lever.

The design is such that it will allow you to accelerate MORE than the setting on the throtle lever with the foot pedal, while allowing it to return to the hand throttle position afterwards.

I've attached the picture for those that might have a problem seeing your site.

Enrique

[26th-Z]

Yes. That picture shows the metal hanger a little boogered up, but the idea is there. The plastic washer goes behind the pedal clip. The metal hanger has a captive nut on one side and thus becomes a bolted "squeeze" connection. This picture makes it look like is was pried open with a screwdriver.

Texas, that auction was completely crazy. As I recall, the BIN was $350 or something. But the fuse box was new. That counts for something, I suppose. Still, I have been finding used long-tail fuse boxes for $35. Not $350.

[texasz]

None of those pix are of my car, just something to help show the parts involved in the mechanism...and apparantly an incorrect implementation at the pedal end in the one you are talking about.

As for the auctions, the fuse box had a starting price of $300 with a reserve and a BIN of $500. I'd rather spend $200 on the new MSA one with the late model fuses...but then again I'm not doing a concourse restore.

Now the hand throttle...I just offered her $500 for it and was politely told hell no, when someone wants it bad enough they will pay my price, I'll just store it until then. :surprised I didn't expect that kind of reply. She may be right...or she may have two car parts forever for a car she has never owned and cares nothing about. It's sad that some people are SOOOO caught up on money. How did she get them...she told me this "I was cleaning out my dads garage and I found a bunch of new stuff which I have no use for".