73.5 CIS Throttle Return Spring questions

BBShriver · 02-21-2008, 02:22 PM

My car doesn't go back to idle on its own anymore (if I stick my foot under the pedal and pull up it will), so I decided it was time for a new throttle return spring. Pelican lists a Short and Long, so I ordered both... but can't figure out where either go? Neither looks like the old one.
Anyone have pictures of where these 2 are supposed to go??

Jim Sims · 02-21-2008, 04:21 PM

Springs are items 42 and 66

You may also want to consider dismounting the console (item 54 on the front top of the engine) and checking the plastic bushings (items 55) for wear, cleanliness and lubrication. The throttle sticking problem could also be due to problems with similiar bushings in the pedal cluster under the driver's feet and on the bell crank on the transmission under the car. There are also three plastic bushings within the floor center tunnel that guide/support the throttle linkage; these are difficult to access. Another possible source of a non-returning throttle is a mis-routed or no longer retained clutch cable (retaining strap is broken - often happens when the engine/transmission are removed and the strap is forgotten) that drags on the bell crank mounted on the side of the transmission.

BBShriver · 02-21-2008, 05:44 PM

I can BARELY see that diagram, but I was looking more for an actual picture on the engine assembled....

Thanks!

911quest · 02-21-2008, 06:38 PM

The short one goes on the throttle body and the long one connects to the bellcrank on the motor....

Jim Sims · 02-21-2008, 07:13 PM

See below for images of the 73.5T throttle springs installed:

BBShriver · 02-21-2008, 08:05 PM

Thank you, that's exactly what I was looking for.

Interesting, as where the "short spring" is installed the one that was on the car is much longer (though same basic shape/size but more coils), and I don't believe the "long" one was there at all. I will give that a try.

Chilling in VT · 02-22-2008, 04:57 AM

One more thing you might want to check is the gas pedal itself. On mine, the hinge part had corroded and would bind causing a sticky throttle. Pop the rod off the back of the pedal and see if it still sticks.
Joe

BBShriver · 03-03-2008, 10:23 AM

Thanks for the help here. I got the springs on ("long" spring was missing, and short spring was worn out). Comes back down to idle every time now (and now I need to raise the idle speed!). Still need to check for other friction, but the springs seem to at least band-aid it for now.