How do I remove the throttle valve cable from the 305 engine/TPI Unit? I'm swapping transmissions and I can't get the TV cable out.

 

Its kinda hard. You have to unbolt the cable at the trans to get it off. It has one bolt with I think its a 8mm head. Then you have to un hook it from the arm inside the trans which is easy once you get unbolted and just unsnap it from the TB and remove from the cable braket on plenum. You can remove the trans with it on.

 

I just did this due to a broken clip on the trottle body side. I had to bend a offset box end wrench (10mm) to reach the bolt without dropping the rear tranny mount. Mine comes down at about a 45 degree angle about 1.5" from the end. Then about another 1" out, it comes just about straight down (clear the tranny edge). I could only turn it maybe 1/4 turn at a time. Make sure the offset end faces up - you'll know what I mean when you look at it. I bent mine the wrong way the first time.

Getting it off is the easy part, getting the new TV cable hooked to the arm is a PITA. Especially if your like me and only have the car on stands. If you have a lift, it may not be to bad. I actually dropped the pan since I wanted to replace the filter/fluid. It helped out a bit, but still took many tries (remember, I'm doing this with one hand since I'm on my back under the car). Then once it's hooked, you have to make sure it doesn't fall back out. It took me few hours to replace the cable - 30 minutes to remove it, 2:30 to get everthing re-assembled (seal, cable, gasket, new pan). A lift would sure make it easier. It's on my list for Santa

Make sure you get a new TV seal from Napa or the Chevy Dealer. It's much easier than trying to keep the old seal. Tha Napa one is about $3, the Chevy version is about $7.

-Dan