Replacing the throttle linkage spring

1986 Silver Nautique with original Ford 351 and a Holly carb.

Every Fall I dive into some replacement/repair/rebuild project on the boat. 2 years ago I replaced all the hoses and battery cables. Last year it was new ground and power wires to the dash, rewiring the dash and a new horn This year it's been fixing some annoying engine issues; not cranking when I turn the key (neutral safety switch slightly out of alignment), hesitation when hitting the throttle (adjust the accelerator pump), choke not working (new bimetallic spring thing, throat plate adjustment still slightly off but boat fires right up). Boat gets hard to start after an hour or two skiing (carb spacer gasket. Hopefully fixed, won't know for a month or so). Been mostly lurking for years and always find the information I need here for each project.

Whenever I'm working on the engine, I see that rusty original throttle linkage spring. Finally decided to get a new one, hopefully in stainless steel. Been looking for two days off and on and can't find anything that looks as long as that original spring. I didn't measure it, but it must be 8" long end to end, with the spring itself around 4". Currently it's wrapped around an engine bolt at one end. I'd much rather hook it to some type of bracket.

Anyone replace this spring? Install a new bracket? And if so, where did you buy it? Does a new one really have to match the original spring length? I've seen some shorter versions in SS that might do the job, like the Lokar SRK-4002, the thinner one of the pair. Some are attached to a bracket bolted to a stud on the carb, others to a bracket that bolts to the engine.

Thanks,
Andrew

Pretty old picture, but it shows the spring. Look to the left of the engine tag and up a touch, next to the red cable.

I've used a Dorman 59002 spring kit in the link below for making replacement throttle return springs.

Not chrome, but pretty easy to make something that works using the longer pieces in the kit.

The coiled section isn't as long, but with some tweaking it worked good.

Link

One observation from the photos of your engine is that you have single claim on Exhaust.   I like double claim when using the type of hose claims used on these engines. I think it is required or was required to double up the exhaust claims all the way to the discharge.   

It's nothing special, you just have to make sure you get the tension to your satisfaction.

Too much tension and the throttle will start closing if you take your hand off the control lever.

Some people like it like that, others would rather be able to let go and have it stay right there.

The spring also helps to be sure the throttle returns to the idle position every time and doesn't hang open a little bit.