Cheap fix ...

Is it my imagination?? Looks like the way you have the throttle cable clamped in there is damn scary..... should'nt it be a 3/4" longer cable so the housing clamps back from the rolled edge farther?? Or the whole bracket need to be cut up and rewelded so the pinch point is farther forward?? and where is your kickdown now?? Also, throw those loose parts off the engine!!

Yup. The flare in the metal part of the cable should be at the very back of the clamp. They way it is now, It could possible work loose and if it's tightened up the least bit too much it'll crush the metal cable housing.