[kelstar]

I put up a post a while back looking for ideas to keep the choke lever from destroying my console. Well, I was going to do the thing I came up with with making a bracket and just screwing the choke lever to the metal under the console then just sliding the console down over it. Then I was thinking... what do you think about using an extra one of the pull things that are under the dash at each end of the dash... hooking the choke cables to it and just screw that up under the dash? FantaZ was speaking of a seamless repair kit from ztherapy to fix cracked consoles... I wonder if the same kit would work to fill in the slot where the choke lever used to be? What do you guys think?

I think I'm putting entirely too much thought into this...

Shayne

 

[Tony D]

Re: Don't pull so hard!

Make sure your linkages are properly lubed and that the cables are free. It should be possible to operate the choke lever with the tip of your pinky finger, and the car should start find down to about 0 degrees with the lever only halfway through the stroke.
A lot of times, the cables are misadjusted, and the starter circuit is fully engaged at half stroke, but since it's "not all the way back" forcing and breakage results.
I have used epoxy to repair the panels, but unless you do all hte above steps and handle it gingerly, there is a good chance for re-breakage. My 74 was in such a state, so the second time I re-epoxied it, and clearanced all the bumps from under the console. I made a braket like you suggest, and mounted it to the tunnel, along with the choke mechanisim. Now pulling the console is a really easy job, no fighting with the cables (especially having them pull the console back down in place while you're working in the area!)
But again, I made a bracket that came up to where the console mounts would be, and bolted IT to the tunnel after attaching it ot the choke lever bracket. I don't see any way to bolt the choke lever directly to the tunnel.

 

[fantaz]

Hey,
I've been used as a source of knowledge! Imagine that. I want to clarify that ztherapy does not have a kit for the console. On their "SU tune-up video" they show how to make a seamless repair. It involves using epoxy and fiberglass mat on the underside of the cracks to strengthen the weak areas. Then using acrylic thinner and "SEM color coat satin black flexible coating" you spray the entire console. Using a piece of textured vinyl you can then restore the grainy look on the console, if you spray on the coating too thick. The cracks will be impossible to detect. Finally, a metal plate is attached to the underside of the console that prevents the choke handle from causing further cracks. I've done the procedure and it works great!

Your idea of moving the choke handle is good, but you would have to shorten the cable I imagine. I can e-mail you a picture of the choke handle and the metal plate if you like Shayne.

 

[kelstar]

I'd love to see a pic of it. My e-mail is: [email protected]
My whole thing here is that I don't even use the choke, really. The car starts great without hitting the gas or using the choke, even in the cold... but since there is a choke lever there, I'd at least like to have the option to use it, you know? Like the freakin cigarette lighter... it was driving me nuts that it didn't work, and I don't even smoke in the car! Interior panels and seats cost waaay too much to be burning holes in them!! I guess I'm just anal retentive like that. Does anal retentive have a hyphen?


Thanks fantaZ!
Shayne

 

[Z-quest RLS30 1/2]

I left the original choke lever, bracket and switch in the console but installed a working choke lever and cable under the dash on the drivers side. It is shorter and differs from the original as I have Webers, but it works fine - is out of sight and spares the console from any stress.

Kelstar - did you find your short yet?

RLS30

 

[johnh240]

Re: Don't pull so hard!

Tony, if you have a picture of your modification I'd like to see it. It seems like a much more logical solution to the cracked console. I replaced my console years ago, and gingerly use the choke, but am always worried that in cold weather it's going to crack again. Have you though about marketing this replacement bracket?

 

[Tony D]

Honestly...

It was such a simple bracket to make, I thought everyone made them...
The pain in the butt is grinding down all the little plastic mounting nubs under the console to clear the bracket.
I made mine out of 1/8" aluminum (5052H4 I think...)

 

[Duff5000]

Re: Don't pull so hard!

In regard to the bracket on the tunnel it would appear that my 76' 260 (in australia) has this as standard. It looks factory so i doubt is has been fiddled with.

Odd thing is that my 77 260 doesnt work like this...... This has the bracket attached to the plastic.

Interesting.

 

[Tony Lamb]

I think the first time I saw a Z I was about 20 and driving around in a very boy-racer Ford Escort at the time (hey, it was 14 years ago okay??). I though my friend's Z was about the coolest car I'd ever seen and was only too happy to be given a spin around. I looked, wide-eyed, at the guage-filled racey interior... "wow", I thought.

I spotted the choke lever, or rather I spotted the whole center console moving as the choke was put on. "Why does it do that? " I said. "'Cos the dull buggers bolted the choke bracket to the plastic rather than the tunnel" was the reply. As a driver of the best that Ford Motor Co could offer I thought about my trusty single weedy carb and the choke bracket firmly fixed on my car. My console or dash didn't move when I put the choke on. "How stupid" I commented.

I've at last bought my own 260 (UK model) and sure enough it came with a cracked centre console. It's one of the design quirks of these great cars that makes even the most lame-brained non owner point at something like that and go "But why did they do that?????".

And yes, I'm making a bracket to fix it to the tunnel too!

 

[kelstar]

my short

Actually, I didn't find the short yet but as I was going through and checking things out I decided to throw a fuse in and see what happens. I put a 10 amp fuse in and everything was fine! I just left well enough alone until it happens again!!

Shayne