Throttle linkage problem '87 Caprice

[deesandvees]

The only thing stopping me from breaking in this cam on my rebuild is a new problem that's come about with my throttle linkage. Hopefully somebody on here's done a similiar setup and can help me out. Here's what I've got going:

Edlebrock Performer carb
Performance Plus Cyclone intake
350
Vortec heads
700r4

I got some throttle linkage kit that's supposed to be for vortec but it doesn't seem to want to work. I'd be at half throttle with no foot on the pedal with the thing installed and I don't want that. And where the TV cable would need to be is nowhere near the correct place either.

One thought I had was getting a linkage from a carburated vortec chevy at the junkyard. Would that work? Any ideas?

[silicon212]

Originally Posted by deesandvees

The only thing stopping me from breaking in this cam on my rebuild is a new problem that's come about with my throttle linkage. Hopefully somebody on here's done a similiar setup and can help me out. Here's what I've got going:

Edlebrock Performer carb
Performance Plus Cyclone intake
350
Vortec heads
700r4

I got some throttle linkage kit that's supposed to be for vortec but it doesn't seem to want to work. I'd be at half throttle with no foot on the pedal with the thing installed and I don't want that. And where the TV cable would need to be is nowhere near the correct place either.

One thought I had was getting a linkage from a carburated vortec chevy at the junkyard. Would that work? Any ideas?

No such thing as a carbureted Vortec - all of them had sequential port injection. Remember, the Vortec is an OBDII engine.

You should be able to go to your favorite local speed shop and get a bracket for the carb. You could go to Bowtie Overdrives (http://www.700r4.com) and get a "TV Made EZ" bracket kit for the TV cable.

[deesandvees]

That's what I thought I had, a correct linkage for the Vortec. I'll go to the other performance shop in town and hopefully they'll have a correct part for me. Thanks Silicon.

[deesandvees]

Found out that the Spectre product I have needed an additional part they sell that is for applications like mine with the 700r4. Haven't fit it yet but hopefully this solves the problem, I'll find out tomorrow. Also, Lokar sells a linkage setup that includes throttle and tv cables and it's $170. Didn't want to spend that much knowing that an Edlebrock carb on a Vortec manifold on a Caprice isn't something so rare to warrant $170 for linkage!

[silicon212]

Originally Posted by deesandvees

Found out that the Spectre product I have needed an additional part they sell that is for applications like mine with the 700r4. Haven't fit it yet but hopefully this solves the problem, I'll find out tomorrow. Also, Lokar sells a linkage setup that includes throttle and tv cables and it's $170. Didn't want to spend that much knowing that an Edlebrock carb on a Vortec manifold on a Caprice isn't something so rare to warrant $170 for linkage!

Keep in mind that every Vortec carb intake made is aftermarket - none were EVER factory. The Gen I Vortec is a 1996 - 2003 engine that saw use in trucks and vans.

Centerbolt valve cover heads are not Vortec heads, unless they have the raised runners and vertical intake mounting bolts.

No Caprice was ever made with a Vortec.

[deesandvees]

Originally Posted by silicon212

No Caprice was ever made with a Vortec.

I just meant it's can't be that rare for aftermarket performance build ups. I'll find out tomorrow if this thing works out and let the forum know.

[deesandvees]

Well that Spectre product wouldn't work. To make it work halfway decent it still would have covered the thumb button for the tv cable. I ended up using the stock linkage and fabbing a bracket to move it left about a inch and a half. Then I just bent the stock bracket a bit for the tv cable to line up correctly.