63 AFB Throttle Linkage

[Stuart F.]

In rummaging through some of my old original parts today, as regards my previous thread about proper throttle return spring for my 63 340 hp, I looked at my original AFB which I intend to refurbish and return to service backup some day. Prior to this I looked at the Assembly Manual to check for spring part number/description and assembly illustration. You all have me convinced now that my using a cut down white spring (circa 62) is not the correct method. The assembly manual, however, shows the use of a cotter pin to retain the accelerator rod in the Carburetor throttle arm. This did not ring a bell with me. I always recall using the return spring clipped into the hole in the rod where the cotter pin is shown. The manual shows the spring clipped into a small hole below the throttle rod hole. This too did not ring a bell. I looked at my old carb and, as I suspected, there is no small hole for the spring in the arm, nor is there one in the replacement NOS unit I have on the car. Now I am confused.

My intension was to buy a new black spring, as several responders recommended, used on later year SHP engines to replace my modified white spring. Now I'm not too sure.

By the way, I have at least 3 new white springs still sealed in their bags (each is labeled "62 - 63 / 340 HP"). I must have ordered from every supplier 20 or 30 years ago trying to get the right one. I also have one cut down piece that didn't work too well (too short).

[Joel T.]

Re: 63 AFB Throttle Linkage

Stuart;

My recollection is that you are correct. On my 63/340 I've always used the spring to connect to the rod via the hole you mention.. no cotter pin. Also, to your point, the "stock" white spring appears to be too long, so I have been using a cut down version as well.

Joel

[Michael H.]

Re: 63 AFB Throttle Linkage

In rummaging through some of my old original parts today, as regards my previous thread about proper throttle return spring for my 63 340 hp, I looked at my original AFB which I intend to refurbish and return to service backup some day. Prior to this I looked at the Assembly Manual to check for spring part number/description and assembly illustration. You all have me convinced now that my using a cut down white spring (circa 62) is not the correct method. The assembly manual, however, shows the use of a cotter pin to retain the accelerator rod in the Carburetor throttle arm. This did not ring a bell with me. I always recall using the return spring clipped into the hole in the rod where the cotter pin is shown. The manual shows the spring clipped into a small hole below the throttle rod hole. This too did not ring a bell. I looked at my old carb and, as I suspected, there is no small hole for the spring in the arm, nor is there one in the replacement NOS unit I have on the car. Now I am confused.

My intension was to buy a new black spring, as several responders recommended, used on later year SHP engines to replace my modified white spring. Now I'm not too sure.

By the way, I have at least 3 new white springs still sealed in their bags (each is labeled "62 - 63 / 340 HP"). I must have ordered from every supplier 20 or 30 years ago trying to get the right one. I also have one cut down piece that didn't work too well (too short).

The white spring was never used on any 63 engines. (Corvette, anyway) That was a 62 340 HP part and an error in parts books from the very beginning of parts books for the new 63 model.
The correct 63 340 HP return spring was black.

[Stuart F.]

Re: 63 AFB Throttle Linkage

OK, I buy into that, that the black spring is correct and will go ahead and get. But, as far as the attachment method to the carburtor, both the assembly manual and the new judging manual show it hooked into a small hole beneath the accelerator rod swival and the swival retained with a cotter pin. Both Joel and I know that is not possible on the 340 hp w/AFB. Whatever spring we use, it has to hook into the hole in the swival (or hole in the 90 degree bent end of the accelerator rod), in place of a cotter pin. I believe most of the illustrations used favor the 64 365 hp version w/ Holley carb. The situation w/ the 300 hp 1963 is probably the same as our 340 hp,s.

Thanks for the responses. I was beginning to think I was all alone on this one. Guess it's just cause I talk too much. Sorry.

[Stuart F.]

Re: 63 AFB Throttle Linkage

Picked up a new black spring labeled for 63 - 67 SBC today and it works fine. Just think of how many Big Macs I could have bought with all the money I spent on incorrect white springs over the years. Think I'll find another use for them, maybe in my bed to give it a boost!

Stu

[Joel T.]

Re: 63 AFB Throttle Linkage

Stu,

Where did you get the black spring??? I should get one too for my 1963... currently sitting with a chopped down white spring!!

Thx,

Joel

[Stuart F.]

Re: 63 AFB Throttle Linkage

Joel;

Well, you can get the spring at just about any Corvette parts supply house. I went out to Ekler's today with my son and picked one up. We live in Orlando so their establishment is about 45 minutes away.

What it is; is basically the most common return spring for all 63 thru 67 small block applications with the only exception being the Fuelie, of course. It is of black phospherous (?) coating and is used on all HP small block engines with Carter WCFB's & AFB's, as well as Holley's. The only difference that I can see is the assembly (as we spoke of before); i.e. spring clipped into the accelerator rod in place of a cotter pin, and not in a separate hole in throttle arm of Carburetor.

After all these years of not knowing something so simple. I guess it goes without saying; don't always believe the labeling on the package. Then too, it is just common sense (I'm lacking) that if they all use the same bracket at the LF two manifold mounting bolts, how many variations can there be in dimensions back to the carburetor? Go figure! The only other possible variable might be the throttle kick down rod connection to the bottom of the throttle arm (?). Maybe some 63 PG equipped owners can shed some light on that.

Stu

[Michael H.]

Re: 63 AFB Throttle Linkage

After all these years of not knowing something so simple. I guess it goes without saying; don't always believe the labeling on the package.

You aren't the only two people that thought the 3821966 white 6 1/4" spring was correct for the 63. As mentioned, because the parts book was in error since 1963, everyone, including all of the parts vendors, thought the long white spring was correct for 63 340 HP.
The correct spring is a black 3830222 that's 4 13/32" in length. (30 coils)

I don't know if the new 5th edition JG has it corrected now. I'll look later.

[Harry S.]

Re: 63 AFB Throttle Linkage

Michael, for those of us with the little baby engines (250hp), is the same spring used?

Harry

[Michael H.]

Re: 63 AFB Throttle Linkage

Michael, for those of us with the little baby engines (250hp), is the same spring used?

Harry

Yup, the black 3830222 was used for all small blocks (except FI and 67 with P.G) from 63 to 67.

[Duke W.]

Re: 63 AFB Throttle Linkage

There is only on hole in the throttle rod and the curved end of the longer straight section of the spring fits into it to retain the spring and the rod on the carburetor lever. The short straight section of the spring attaches to the spring bracket.

That's the way mine left St. Louis in mid March 1963.

Duke

[John D.]

Re: 63 AFB Throttle Linkage

Yup, the black 3830222 was used for all small blocks (except FI and 67 with P.G) from 63 to 67.

Michael, In reading the 5th I see that your imput on the early 63 FI car spring was incorporated into the manual now.

The info on page 95 though is confusing concerning the FI springs. Quote:
"Early 1963 springs are painted gray. The date for transition from a gray painted spring is unkown at this time. Service replacement return springs are blue in color.
My question is this. "The date for transition from a gray painted spring"... to what? Sentence appears to be lacking important info. A sentence is missing? Doesn't say what spring follows the gray spring.

Now before this 5th guys wanted to use black springs. But the new manual doesn't list black springs.
Meanwhile I thought the early 63 springs were silver and not gray. They are actually left over 57 FI springs and those springs are painted silver aren't they? I guess maybe gray and silver might be about the same.
The spring color issue for the 63 FI cars has been a topic of discussion since I joined NCRS way back in 1979. I am using the 57 spring on the early units that have the two bosses sticking out the front of the plenums and blue on the rest of them.
Save your money guys on buying NOS blue springs for a 63 as they are too weak to do the job in most cases. They do work nice though on a 64-65 '7380 unit because of the different bellcrank. Geometry is different.
Course this post ain't about 63 FI springs. JD

[Michael H.]

Re: 63 AFB Throttle Linkage

Meanwhile I thought the early 63 springs were silver and not gray. They are actually left over 57 FI springs and those springs are painted silver aren't they?

The info for the 63 F.I. return spring in the 5th edition JG is incorrect. I provided documentation on the spring for early 63 FI but it didn't make it into the new manual. Pretty sure I sent you a copy too because you didn't believe it at first.
The 7014730 silver return spring originally used on 57 F.I's was also used on early 63 F.I.'s from start of production until somewhere around late October 1962.

[John D.]

Re: 63 AFB Throttle Linkage

MH, Sorry for not giving you full credit for the early 63 silver-grey spring. World: JD confesses he didn't know the spring was supposed to be grey-silver. It took Hanson two-maybe three years to convince me.
So please give all the credit to Hanson or I will never hear the end of it. (heeeeee)
Meanwhile the fact remains that our buddy CC did NOT put in the manual what spring he likes to see on the rest of the 63's. Blue is a nice color to consider though. Meanwhile if you don't use the correct spring on a 63 no matter what the color expect to have idle problems for sure. Some of the inexpensive repro springs last about two weeks and then they lose their tension and the engines are racing. But thanks to Jerry Bramlett we now have a really first class worlds best 63 FI accelerator spring. I put one on my little white car and it solved my idle problem. We should have had separate post for this FI spring. Blue rules. JD

[Michael H.]

Re: 63 AFB Throttle Linkage

MH, Sorry for not giving you full credit for the early 63 silver-grey spring. World: JD confesses he didn't know the spring was supposed to be grey-silver. It took Hanson two-maybe three years to convince me.
So please give all the credit to Hanson or I will never hear the end of it. (heeeeee)
Meanwhile the fact remains that our buddy CC did NOT put in the manual what spring he likes to see on the rest of the 63's. Blue is a nice color to consider though. Meanwhile if you don't use the correct spring on a 63 no matter what the color expect to have idle problems for sure. Some of the inexpensive repro springs last about two weeks and then they lose their tension and the engines are racing. But thanks to Jerry Bramlett we now have a really first class worlds best 63 FI accelerator spring. I put one on my little white car and it solved my idle problem. We should have had separate post for this FI spring. Blue rules. JD

Yer little white car had idle speed problems because you have a cheap repop accl pedal that won't flex enough to releave the pressure on the spring. Told ya that last year and you agreed.