I'm finding different info (don't have a shop manual yet) on the length of throttle cable for 71 Chall 440-6. Does anyone know what the stock length should be? Also, a good source? I'm seeing as as much as $160!!! Some as low as $47. Thanks in advance for any suggestions!
Correct Throttle cable for 71 Dodge Challenger 440-6 4 speed
- Thread starter Songsrme
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pschlosser
Well-Known Member
The stock manuals don't tell you the lengths of the throttle cables, sadly.
but the parts book shows the 340-6 and the 440-6 use the same throttle cable.
google AI says its 21.5 inches, but it's unclear at which points on the cable this is measured.
but the parts book shows the 340-6 and the 440-6 use the same throttle cable.
google AI says its 21.5 inches, but it's unclear at which points on the cable this is measured.
MoparCarGuy
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Some reference material. Double-check the Pioneer brand lengths as they seem to change from what was in the chart below.
Examples:
CA-8411 is listed on Summit Racing as 23.25" overall length.
CA-8420 is listed on Summit Racing as 20.67" overall length.
Examples:
CA-8411 is listed on Summit Racing as 23.25" overall length.
CA-8420 is listed on Summit Racing as 20.67" overall length.
Last edited:
Thanks for the info. I don't see what can be special about the 440-6 or 340-6 in as far as the construction of the cable, but I could be wrong. I notice that some suppliers don't mention the length, just the application. For a reason I'm sure....I'll just buck up and pay. Need to get moving forward on car. Thanks guys, appreciate it!
pschlosser
Well-Known Member
Two things vary in these throttle cables of differing applications. The over all length (OAL) and the "throw" (how far the cable moves within the sleeve)
the 6-barrel (actually, it's 2 barrel) carb has a longer throttle throw, compared to the 4-barrel.
and for a 1971, you probably need the cable with the square plastic fitting. the 6-barrel cable is longer than the 4-barrel. I have switched 440-4 to 440-6 and back again, more than once. I have not always been diligent about using the correct cable, and I believe I've used the wrong cable for the application without any obvious issues.
the 6-barrel (actually, it's 2 barrel) carb has a longer throttle throw, compared to the 4-barrel.
and for a 1971, you probably need the cable with the square plastic fitting. the 6-barrel cable is longer than the 4-barrel. I have switched 440-4 to 440-6 and back again, more than once. I have not always been diligent about using the correct cable, and I believe I've used the wrong cable for the application without any obvious issues.
Thank you. The price thing was really putting me on the path to find something in a reasonable range. However, it's like shopping for mattresses if you know what I mean. I just went ahead with a good supplier that has it in stock and it is designated for the 6 pack setup. I've got to keep pressing forward on finishing the build. Thanks again.
Herb's say's 21-1/2" (no stock)
.....
www.herbsparts.com
The best I could measure this one in the packaging is 21-1/2" from ball to eye.........
There's one on Ebay.....
.....
Herb's Parts: 70-74 E BODY SIX PACK THROTTLE CABLE, Throttle Cables, 254-6P
The best I could measure this one in the packaging is 21-1/2" from ball to eye.........
There's one on Ebay.....
larry4406
Well-Known Member
Pictures of an NOS one I snagged years ago. Sorry, no dimensions.
larry4406
Well-Known Member
Pretty sure I have an NOS one in the basement somewhere for my long stalled project. Not sure where on the shelves it might even be....
Thanks for looking, but I went ahead and bought 1 from Brewer's.
pschlosser
Well-Known Member
I'm not quite sure he is offering to sell, as much as measuring it and to answer any questions you may have on the OEM-issued cable.
Ok, you're probably right. Thanks to all for the input. At this point, I don't want to waste people's time.
Ok, back again. It only took 7 days for the USPS 3 day service. A little background on this car. I bought it restored, except for the engine and trans not in the car. I have not owned a 4 speed V code Ebody before, so don't have the practical experience to draw from.
Larry, if you have a measurement of your NOS one, especially the throw, as I explain how I measured it below, it would be much appreciated. Thanks.
The car came with a cable that measures a little under 22 in total length and about 15.5 from the stud hole to the firewall, square plug. The throw, if measured from the firewall to the ball on the wire that goes through the pedal bar, is 6 inches. The black jacket area including the metal sleeve that you clamp down on, is about 13 inches.
The net result with this cable is that you can only open the throttle about 1/3 rd the way if that.
A very knowledgeable friend lent me a cable that is about 26.5 inches total, with a throw that is about 5 inches....which works!......That's because (based on his suggestion), you can twist the black jacketed area into a spiral and clamp it down, which shortens the overall cable length and allows you to mount it forward more. That and the throw is 1 inch shorter.
I bought a cable for a 71 Ebody 440-6 application from Brewers. It is 23 in total length. It also has a throw measuring 6 inches. I have not installed it because it is pretty much identical to the one I already have, with the exact same throw. And mocking it in place, it is the same issue as the one I already have.
Both of these shorter cables have a shorter black jacketed sleeve length and you cannot twist them into a spiral to shorten the overall length...they are just too short to twist and hold in place that way by themselves. However, shortening a cable by twisting it, does not seem like a good long term solution anyway.
I can see why there needs to be a small amount of slack between the firewall and the throttle clamp to allow for movement of the engine. But either a combination of the black jacketed area being too long and the throw too short is the issue.
My conclusion so far...and I'm an idiot on this stuff...is that the throw is too long. So I'm back to finding a correct throttle cable. Maybe I'm missing something so easy as to being pathetic on my part and I'm open to ridicule as long as there is an easy solution.
I've attached pictures to show what I'm saying.
16.5
Larry, if you have a measurement of your NOS one, especially the throw, as I explain how I measured it below, it would be much appreciated. Thanks.
The car came with a cable that measures a little under 22 in total length and about 15.5 from the stud hole to the firewall, square plug. The throw, if measured from the firewall to the ball on the wire that goes through the pedal bar, is 6 inches. The black jacket area including the metal sleeve that you clamp down on, is about 13 inches.
The net result with this cable is that you can only open the throttle about 1/3 rd the way if that.
A very knowledgeable friend lent me a cable that is about 26.5 inches total, with a throw that is about 5 inches....which works!......That's because (based on his suggestion), you can twist the black jacketed area into a spiral and clamp it down, which shortens the overall cable length and allows you to mount it forward more. That and the throw is 1 inch shorter.
I bought a cable for a 71 Ebody 440-6 application from Brewers. It is 23 in total length. It also has a throw measuring 6 inches. I have not installed it because it is pretty much identical to the one I already have, with the exact same throw. And mocking it in place, it is the same issue as the one I already have.
Both of these shorter cables have a shorter black jacketed sleeve length and you cannot twist them into a spiral to shorten the overall length...they are just too short to twist and hold in place that way by themselves. However, shortening a cable by twisting it, does not seem like a good long term solution anyway.
I can see why there needs to be a small amount of slack between the firewall and the throttle clamp to allow for movement of the engine. But either a combination of the black jacketed area being too long and the throw too short is the issue.
My conclusion so far...and I'm an idiot on this stuff...is that the throw is too long. So I'm back to finding a correct throttle cable. Maybe I'm missing something so easy as to being pathetic on my part and I'm open to ridicule as long as there is an easy solution.
I've attached pictures to show what I'm saying.
16.5
larry4406
Well-Known Member
My basement is in such disarray right now, I’m not sure which shelf to even begin looking for it honestly.
I hope you get this figured out.
No problem, I understand.
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