Where to bend Choke and Throttle rods
 

I just a new set of choke and throttle rods and they are straight as an arrow. My old ones were mostly just curved but look like they have been bent, unbent, and rebent several times over the years.

Are there measurements about where to place the bends or do I just do some mock-up and hope I get it nice looking the first time?

1940 flathead in a 1936 1/2 ton pickup

Re: Where to bend Choke and Throttle rods
 

There are usually some accurate pics in an original owners handbook

Re: Where to bend Choke and Throttle rods
 

As long as the bend at the firewall is far enough out to allow full choke travel your eye should tell you where to bend it again to get it level with the carb.

Re: Where to bend Choke and Throttle rods
 

I have my originals and they are in good shape. I can post a pic for you if it helps.

Re: Where to bend Choke and Throttle rods
 

That would help, especially if you lay them next to a tape measure.

My plan was to use a long straight piece of coathanger and bend it til it looks right, then transfer the location of the bends to the new pieces.

Re: Where to bend Choke and Throttle rods
 

Scott, make sure that if you attach any/all additional return springs etc. that everything pulls backward exactly 90 degrees off the throttle shaft.

A lot of times people will route and or add springs that pull back and ever so slightly to one side..
This causes the tension to be applied slightly toward one side which in turn causes the throttle shaft to shift over inside the base and this can cause you grief in that a lot of times you may take your foot off the throttle but it still seems to idle fast...
That is because a sideways pull from a mis-aligned return spring may bind the butterflies/shaft (most will think it has something to do with choke etc).

Re: Where to bend Choke and Throttle rods
 

Scott, Here is a drawing that I made up when I was doing my 35 panel delivery. The dimensions should work for your pickup.

Re: Where to bend Choke and Throttle rods
 

Sorry for the delay with the pics. Looks like mine are not as original as I thought. They have some extra bends in them so now I also am curious. They were hooked up and worked the carb so maybe the previous farmer improvised on his own to make them work better. Lol. Here they are anyway.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...ps1episol9.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...ps9vgl2emm.jpg

Re: Where to bend Choke and Throttle rods
 

Thanks Jeff. Those are better than what I have...mine are all rippley with one huge curve from end to end. I think I'll mock up a set from straightened out coat hangers, experiment to where it looks good and works right, then transfer the bends to the new ones.

Re: Where to bend Choke and Throttle rods
 

Don,
Thank you for that! Somehow I missed your response from a few days ago...must have hit refresh or scrolled past it.

Re: Where to bend Choke and Throttle rods
 

I like the idea of the coat hangers, that with what Don posted and you should be good. Mine do have a bend where his diagram shows but the other bends I suppose should be straightened out. Let me know what you come up with.