Need Help With Gas Pedal Sticking

[icejawa]

Hello everyone,

I have had a problem in my mach where to gas pedal sticks so much so that the car idles at around 3000 RPM. When I leave it sitting and it warms up the problem goes away, but right now I also have a squeaky power steering belt which makes the car squeal loud nonstop with the sticking throttle.

I have checked the actual throttle cable and connection to the carburetor/throttle body, the idle adjust screw is loosened to the point where it doesn't touch anything at all. I would try adjusting it further in, but I do believe that gives the engine more gas so I left it as it is. Putting grease on the spring and cable seems to have made the problem worse.

My guess is I need a new throttle cable, perhaps this one installed is too short?

Thanks for any help in advance,

Icejawa

 

[vozaday]

Do you have a spring to help pull the throttle back? I ran without one for a while and I would have to bump the throttle a few times till it dropped down. Put a spring on and it has been great since.

 

[icejawa]

There is a spring on the actual accelerator cable sheath, but not on the gas pedal itself. The pedal flops and when i try to pick it up with my hand the car still gets gas.

 

[73pony]

Can you take a photo of the complete carb throttle linkage and post it?

 

[icejawa]

I am actually at the parts store right now, I am grabbing new v belts for the steering pump, vodazays problem he had sounds like mine

 

[vozaday]

What I mean is something like this.

 

[icejawa]

Mine looks like this http://www.ebay.com/itm/Accelerator-Cable-1971-72-Mustang-Before-7-10-72-44-72951-1-/111954975040?fits=Year%3A1971|Model%3AMustang&hash=item1a11095940:g:NKUAAOSwa~BYNmM1&vxp=mtr

 

[vozaday]

I had to add an external spring similar to the one in the pic above. There are lots of different set ups you can go with.

 

[73pony]

I am actually at the parts store right now, I am grabbing new v belts for the steering pump, vodazays problem he had sounds like mine

As for the belt squealing on the power steering pump a couple of notes as I had this issue....

New belt is a god place to start if your existing is old or of unknown origin, and get a good one (Gates green stripe is a good belt). A few other things...

Check the fluid level and it should be Type F trans fluid NOT power steering fluid. also check for bubbles or foaming in the fluid (this means there is air trapped and it need bled properly or there is a leak in the system)

Be sure there is adequate tension on the belt. The configuration of the PS pump makes getting leverage by yourself difficult. I used a ratchet strap attached to the garage rafter and around the pump to put just the right amount of tension on the belt before tightening it down (about 1/4 to 1/2 deflection).

Check all pulleys for grease or other contaminants and clean thoroughly. You can also lightly scuff the inside of the pulley with some 120 grit sand paper to make certain it is clean and has good grip on the belt.

Hope this helps out.

 

[Don C]

It sounds like the fast idle is set too high when the choke activates when the engine is cold. When the choke plate closes it is connected to a cam that increases the idle speed. As the choke warms up and begins to open the fast idle cam moves down a couple of notches until it opens up fully and you go to warm engine idle speed.

Because the pedal is connected to a cable it's not possible to pull up on it to reduce the idle speed, if it is a spring issue.

The new belts, adjusted correctly, should solve your squeal.

 

[icejawa]

I think I have a choke knob under the headlight switch should I try pushing it in or pulling it out?

 

[Don C]

That is probably the air vent knob, pull it out when driving down the road to get fresh air.

These cars came with automatic chokes.

 

[icejawa]

You are right it is, I also will try putting a 2nd spring on my throttle body and sanding the power steering pumps pulley, it was gloss painted by the previous owner

 

[rocket366]

I believe there SHOULD be an external throttle return spring on the carb.

The one on the cable is for back-up purposes IMO.

Paul

 

[icejawa]

I have the 2nd throttle return spring on now, engine still running at super high RPM. The throttle does not pull back any more than it already has.

The engine also has had a problem of running rich and I am not sure if this would cause high RPMs but I will readjust carb to be sure.

As for the problem of the gas pedal flopping, I think I am missing a $10 spring that goes under the pedal but that doesn't cause the high RPM I think.

Got the new power steering belt in and it is tight enough, still squeals due to the high RPM idling. Sanded the pulley for extra grip. The power steering pulley has a little bit of wiggle to it, perhaps that is causing the squealing.

Are auto chokes built into the carb? I have an edelbrock 4 barrel carb on but I am unsure if it has the built in electric choke, I will try to find what model it is.

 

[tony-muscle]

2nd fast idle issue set by the choke per Don's post

1971 M-code Mach 1

 

[tony-muscle]

The choke would be on the passenger side of the carb. There would be a cam that rotates as the car warms up. You would loosen the cap and rotate it to adjust it. At least thats how is done in the Holley.

1971 M-code Mach 1

 

[icejawa]

AH ok thanks, I will try it. It just has to be the choke. When I filled up at a gas station after running for 1 hour, the car still took 3 cranks to start.

 

[Don C]

Take the air cleaner lid off and verify that the choke plate closes when the engine is cold. After it warms up check if it is fully open.