Need Advice On Removing The Throttle Rod On The Top Of The Engine

coollx · 11-12-2008, 02:29 PM

I'm trying to remove the throttle rod that goes between the transmission and the accelerator console on the top of the engine. Disconnecting at the transmission is easy and done.

But I'm having one heck of a time disconnecting the ball socket at the end of the rod that connects to the accelerator console. I've been trying to pry the ball socket off with screwdrivers and a combination of tools to no avail. I've only managed to bend the arm that the ball socket attaches to.

One problem is I can't get my hands in there so I have to use misc tools to try and pry it off and its not working. The arm is pretty wimpy and bends easily so that doesn't help.

I figure I had better stop and ask if that ball socket really just unsnaps like the books all say. Or is there a hidden release or special technique?

If not, I may have to try and cut it off so I'll be able to remove the engine.

Thanks.

KTL · 11-12-2008, 02:37 PM

The socket on the engine is the same as the socket on the trans bellcrank. There's a sheeps pin that slips into clips around the socket. Did you remove that pin? With the pin out, the open end of a 10mm wrench is usually a good tool to pry the socket connections free.

Even if you did remove the sheeps pin, that socket is usually a bugger to get loose- i've battled that one many times myself. You can also remove the arm that the socket is connected to to get a better reach at the socket. That bellcrank arm on the engine console is a 13mm nut that you can remove with a regular wrench. Just tough to get at underneath the intake manifold.

Why do you think you must remove the throttle rod? You can take the engine out of the car with or without the rod connected. Even if you plan to leave the transmission installed, you can still get the engine out with the rod still connected to the engine.

You don't want to break the rod because they're expensive to replace. Of course you could have the rod welded back together again or get a used replacement if you had to.........

toddu · 11-12-2008, 03:02 PM

Are you removing the engine and tranny together (I'm guessing not)?

When I removing everything as one piece, I ended up removing items that really only need removing if leaving the tranny in the car.

Todd

coollx · 11-12-2008, 03:05 PM

I was removing the rod because I was following the steps in the book to do my first engine drop. I must confess that when I was under the car disconnecting the transmission end I questioned myself and wondered whether it really had to be removed.

I'll take another look at things tomorrow before I go any further.

Thanks KTL

coollx · 11-12-2008, 03:07 PM

Yes, I am removing both the engine and transmission so I can fix my trans.

bob deluke · bob deluke's Garage

Coollx;

Where do you live in Manlius? I am in Oneida, could give you a hand with r & r of trans/engine if you need it. Regards,Bob

Baz · Baz's Garage

I removed my 3.0 back in '99 by myself. Takes some time to do if you have never done it before but looking back it wasn't that hard to do. Easier to remove engine and gearbox together as you are doing.

I used TWO floor jacks in addition to jack stands and pieces of wood planking.

I don't remember working on that linkage you mention. Sorry.

Good luck and have fun!!!

john walker's workshop · 11-12-2008, 04:27 PM

just take the eng/trans out and deal with the rod later, when you can get at it. it's off at the trans end, so just move it to clear the axle as you lower the unit down. sometimes they're about impossible to get off due to rust in the ball socket inner clip. there is a wire pin with a flip over retainer on the later cars, so check that.

Tigerrat · Tigerrat's Garage

I would forget about it. I had my engine out, removed the clip and tried like hell to get that ball off but gave up. I just unscrewed the rod after noting the exposed threads so I could get it back to the correct length. Quite a puzzle since the transmission one is so easy. Ken

hcoles · 11-12-2008, 06:39 PM

you may want to look for this design on the end of throttle rod, I'm not sure if they are used on all the ends. I hope you can see the "end" of the pin. They rotate off then pull out.. can get them started with a very small screwdriver or other such.

VaSteve · 11-12-2008, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KTL

The socket on the engine is the same as the socket on the trans bellcrank. There's a sheeps pin that slips into clips around the socket. Did you remove that pin? With the pin out, the open end of a 10mm wrench is usually a good tool to pry the socket connections free.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hcoles

you may want to look for this design on the end of throttle rod, I'm not sure if they are used on all the ends. I hope you can see the "end" of the pin. They rotate off then pull out.. can get them started with a very small screwdriver or other such.

It's usually dirty and hard to get to, but yeah that tiny thing is a hold up. There should be a little loop. You can get it started with an O ring pick.

toddu · 11-12-2008, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coollx

I was removing the rod because I was following the steps in the book to do my first engine drop. I must confess that when I was under the car disconnecting the transmission end I questioned myself and wondered whether it really had to be removed.

Yeah, that step should be unnecessary. Also in the book, you shouldn't have to undo the reverse switch. Hard to get to, and not exactly easy to determine which way it plugs back in. Also, at least when I did mine, I somehow missed disconnecting the speedo sensor (may be different on your year) in the shift tunnel. When lowering the engine, it pulled the wire right out of the sensor. $120 mistake. Turns out the sensor had basically disintegrated anyway, so not a complete mistake.

Todd

ps - if anyone has a good pic of the wires connected to the starter, that would be great. I forgot to snap a pic of that and my motor is going back in this weekend.

slodave · slodave's Garage

Leave it alone. I experienced the same thing. Even someone that was experienced tried and gave up. First the told me it was the clip as well. I had already removed it

coollx · 11-13-2008, 01:23 PM

Thanks for the comments everyone....I'm just going to leave it.

Bob, I live off of Pompey Center road. My mailing address is Manlius, but live in the town of Pompey. Thanks for your generous offer to help with the r&r of the engine and trans. Depending on how things go leading up to it, I may take you up on the offer. I can contact you by PM. I'm probably about a week or so away from the actual removal. In anticipation of doing the drop I bought a high lift floor jack (32" lift height) and have a Pelican engine/transmission jack adapter on order. After reading numerous threads on this site about guys balancing engines on 2x4's and pieces of plywood I decided I wanted to have more control.

barney911rs · barney911rs's Garage

Not sure how it works on the later engines, but I like to pull my throttle linkage off just to make sure I don't bang it into something and bend it. A bend in that rod can effect full throttle or full idle. With a set of webers it's not that hard to get in there and remove it.