That great little MFI hand throttle...

[daepp]

Does anyone love that hand throttle as much as me? I know I know - get a life.

But I was very pleasantly surprised to learn that I had one, since when I bought my longhood 3 years ago the only 911 I had ever driven was a 3.2 circa 1991.

When the car arrived from back east, I had to post here just to learn how to use it. It was a bit mysterious - kinda like that dial on the Model T my dad explained was a spark advance. Beginning to drive American cars in the 70's was fairly boring, the only variability behind the wheel was standard or auto.

So you get in your cold 911, press the gas, pull up the hand throttle and turn the key. The engine literally barks and comes to life. You let it idle fast for a bit, then back it off a hair. You go for a drive, with it running rich and smelling great! When it's cold it has a very distinctive sound - completely unlike any water cooled - or for that matter - any other car I've ever driven. As it reaches operating temp, you lean it out, the hand throttle is done for now, and it begins to sound like every other glorious 911. The end!

Sound familiar?

[72T]

Living in Florida, I haven't had need for the throttle, and found in the past when I tinkered with it, nothing much happened. I figured whatever. But the 72 is about to come home from the shop (thanks to everyone who gave me recomendations, I'm really happy with Sid at TroySports) where it was found the hand throttle wasn't connected. Whups. Looking foward to goofing around with it now. MFI, the only way to fly.

[Rusty 356]

The other benefit I find with the hand throttle is to use it to sync the carbs by slightly lifting the hand throttle and check balance. Like you, I like to use it on start ups and is almost essential with the MFI.

Enjoy,
Rusty

[ossiblue]

I liked it too and don't forget, it was on the early CIS engines up through 75. My current 73.5 has a 76 2.7 installed so the throttle is disconnected due to the later warm up components that came with the engine. Works fine, but I do miss the manual control.

[Christien]

You mean the little black-knobbed lever between the seats, right? Correct me if I'm wrong, but AFAIK that only affects the throttle level - it's a lever on the gas pedal line back to the engine, and has the same effect as holding the gas pedal down a bit. It doesn't affect mixture at all.

Am I wrong?

[Rusty 356]

Poor man's cruise control. Hand on the throttle. You gotta like the old stuff.

[Rusty 356]

Christien, you are absolutely correct. You don't need correcting

[JP911]

I love it too. I have PMOs on my '74 and the hand throttle is a natural way to warm up the engine.

And, yes, it's as simple as a lever that creates tension on the throttle cable.

[berettafan]

yup not just an MFI thing.

somehow managed to disconnect mine while redoing my fuel system (webers). of course the damn car idles like nobody's business now regardless of temp so i don't need it.

[PCA7GGR]

It works great with my TWM throttle bodies as well.

[daepp]

Yes - it simply pulls on the throttle cable, so I guess I stretched it a little when I suggested leaning out the mixture.

In fact, Henry Schmidt implored me to depress the foot accelerator before lifting the hand throttle as the little piece of nylon/plastic that connects the hand throttle to the main cable/rod is a know weak link. and BTW - he replaced mine gratis!

[Rusty 356]

David, there is a metal sleeve on the cable, I believe you can adjust as needed with an allen wrench. Sometimes it slips on the cable. The plastic sleeves are a pain, but work well.

[Sunroof]

I use my hand throttle daily in my 1973.5T. I already changed out that plastic claw that grabs the throttle cable and I can say that it was not a bad job to do. Without the thermotime switch (started with 1974 model), the hand throttle is a must for this first CIS model. You know your going to spark off that flat six with a roar everytime using it.

Despite the higher RPM and associated noise at a light in neutral, it does great at doing its job during the warm up phase. The only negative about the hand throttle is you cannot let others drive the car when its cold because they have no clue what the hell its for!!!!!! Nostalgic, functional and fun, life is better with a hand-throttle.

Bob
1973.5T

[Rusty 356]

I agree with you one others driving it when cold. My son was going to bring our 69 to the shop. He ended up calling when he couldn't start it. One complete pump and pull the throttle and it fired right up. With mine you have to throttle it down a bit when it starts. Way cool though.

[daepp]

Holidays etc. when my nephews want to drive it - I make sure to get it good and warm first.

[john walker's workshop]

my 77 930 has/had both a hand throttle and aux air regulator. i saw no need for both and i liked the hand throttle better, so the air reg is gone now. saved a pound.

[wowzer911]

Love my CIS hand throttle!

[daepp]

Originally Posted by john walker's workshop

my 77 930 has/had both a hand throttle and aux air regulator. i saw no need for both and i liked the hand throttle better, so the air reg is gone now. saved a pound.

Did the early 930's not have a warm up system?