Worn out throttle shaft bushings => high idle?

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Old August 7th, 2012, 05:29 PM
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Worn out throttle shaft bushings => high idle?

I have a '72 Quadrajet on my '66 330 and I'm not able to get the idle speed down to 800 rpm even with the idle adjusting screw screwed out completely.
I have already done all the common stuff like timing checked, vacuum lines replaced...
Then I read that it's a well known issue, that the thottle shaft bushings wear out and vacuum leaks are the consequence.
So I went out to the car and just pulled the thottle lever to the front of the engine and the stronger I pulled, the lower it idled!
Is this the symptom of worn out throttle shaft bushings?
Would you rather replace them or get a totally remanufactured carb instead?
Thanks!
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Old August 8th, 2012, 08:27 AM
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For what you'd pay for the tools needed, you could get a carb built for your application.
Search for 'carb builder' in the search box.
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Old August 8th, 2012, 08:39 AM
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Before you take it off and chunk it, I have a couple of questions? Are you running manifold or ported vacuum to your distributor advance? Disconnect the throttle linkage and see if it's holding it back?

Spray some carb cleaner around the throttle shaft and see if your idle changes.
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Old August 8th, 2012, 09:41 AM
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i'm assuming you have the throttle actuated by the rod setup that is stock on a '66. that rod has an adjustable length. i'm curious as to how you connected the throttle rod to that '72 carb, pix would be great.


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Old August 8th, 2012, 12:08 PM
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Originally Posted by oldcutlass
Before you take it off and chunk it, I have a couple of questions? Are you running manifold or ported vacuum to your distributor advance? Disconnect the throttle linkage and see if it's holding it back?

Spray some carb cleaner around the throttle shaft and see if your idle changes.
The distributor advance is connected to the lowest port on the drivers side what I believe is the stock port for distributor advance and I think it is ported vacuum right?!
I have already disconnected the throttle linkage, but the idle speed has not changed!

I'll try that as soon as I'm at home again!
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Old August 8th, 2012, 12:11 PM
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Originally Posted by BILL DEMMER
i'm assuming you have the throttle actuated by the rod setup that is stock on a '66. that rod has an adjustable length. i'm curious as to how you connected the throttle rod to that '72 carb, pix would be great.


bill
Yes Bill, the stock rod setup is connected to the carb! I'll post some close-up pics soon!
I think the former owner has just drilled a hole in the throttle lever...
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Old August 8th, 2012, 12:15 PM
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Originally Posted by Rickman48
For what you'd pay for the tools needed, you could get a carb built for your application.
Search for 'carb builder' in the search box.
Oh wow are they so expensive?
Just thought about buying an Autoline remanufactured carburetor, fitting for my 330? Is this a good idea?
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Old August 8th, 2012, 01:24 PM
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I have to ask! Did you also make sure your choke is not activated? Remove the vacuum line from your carb to distributor and cap the port at the carb.
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Old August 8th, 2012, 10:04 PM
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just a thought... instead of carb. cleaner, use ether starting fluid to spray around the throttle shafts. the ether won't clean out the buildup around worn throttle shaft bores. by using carb. cleaner, you risk cleaning the buildup from the throttle shaft bores and making the problem worse. sometimes gunk is good.
as far as the curb idle speed adjustment you're using, it's on the driver's side of the carb; right?(just making sure)


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Old August 9th, 2012, 01:03 AM
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Originally Posted by oldcutlass
I have to ask! Did you also make sure your choke is not activated? Remove the vacuum line from your carb to distributor and cap the port at the carb.
Yes, the choke is operated by a cable, and I'm sure I didn't set it. I've checked it with the air cleaner taken off, as well!
I did that when I set my timing! Didn't make a difference though
All the unused vacuum ports are plugged, all the lines are new, just like the carburetor gaskets.
Are there any other possible sources for a vacuum leak besides the bushings?
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Old August 9th, 2012, 01:10 AM
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Originally Posted by BILL DEMMER
just a thought... instead of carb. cleaner, use ether starting fluid to spray around the throttle shafts. the ether won't clean out the buildup around worn throttle shaft bores. by using carb. cleaner, you risk cleaning the buildup from the throttle shaft bores and making the problem worse. sometimes gunk is good.
as far as the curb idle speed adjustment you're using, it's on the driver's side of the carb; right?(just making sure)


bill
Okay thanks, maybe I should smear some grease around the bores, to seal the possible leaks temporary
Yes it is
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Old August 9th, 2012, 05:11 AM
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Originally Posted by dancutlass
So I went out to the car and just pulled the thottle lever to the front of the engine and the stronger I pulled, the lower it idled!
Are you sure the butterflies are closing all the way? I don't know what the throttle linkage looks like on your's but if it was my 68 with the Holley I'd say it was a weak return spring
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Old August 9th, 2012, 10:09 AM
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Originally Posted by allyolds68
Are you sure the butterflies are closing all the way? I don't know what the throttle linkage looks like on your's but if it was my 68 with the Holley I'd say it was a weak return spring
the throttle valves are never supposed to close completely, there is a factory adjustment for this, on a qj.


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Old August 9th, 2012, 10:13 AM
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Originally Posted by dancutlass
Okay thanks, maybe I should smear some grease around the bores, to seal the possible leaks temporary
Yes it is
a little spray lithium grease could help you out temporarily.
ok.


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Old August 9th, 2012, 11:16 AM
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Okay today I sprayed some starting fluid around the throttle shaft and the idle seemed to get a little rough for a short time...
I attached a pic of how the stock rod setup is connected to the carb!
Attached Images
File Type: jpg
IMAG0540-1.jpg (24.6 KB, 35 views)
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Old August 9th, 2012, 12:18 PM
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It really does not matter how it's hooked as long as it does not bind and allow full movement of the throttle. I've seen some very creative throttle linkages over the years. You may have some worn bushings, you hava a carb shop over there?
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Old August 9th, 2012, 02:32 PM
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I just posted it because Bill was curious about how it was connected
None that is specialized in American carbs, they mostly do Italian and German one's...So I think I'd buy one in the US and get it shipped, maybe cheaper as well.
Do you know a good carb builder at reasonable prices or are the ones on Rockauto any good?
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Old August 9th, 2012, 03:39 PM
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Ok, so your choke linkage is not hanging up, and not stuck on hi idle. With your throttle linkage disconnected, you still can't get the idle adjusted lower with the screw, and you have no vacuum leaks other than the bushings. Also your vacuum advance you said was connected to ported vacuum, no vacuum at idle.

We've also determined that your mechanical nor your vacuum advance is not sticking. SO the problem must be in the carb. Correct?
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Old August 9th, 2012, 03:49 PM
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Originally Posted by oldcutlass
Ok, so your choke linkage is not hanging up, and not stuck on hi idle. With your throttle linkage disconnected, you still can't get the idle adjusted lower with the screw, and you have no vacuum leaks other than the bushings. Also your vacuum advance you said was connected to ported vacuum, no vacuum at idle.

We've also determined that your mechanical nor your vacuum advance is not sticking. SO the problem must be in the carb. Correct?
That's totally correct! I double checked all the things you mentioned again today and everything is as you wrote above!
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Old August 9th, 2012, 04:38 PM
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So what kind of carb are you going to get?
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Old August 9th, 2012, 04:58 PM
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That's the question...as you might already have noticed I'm neither an expert in carbs nor in anything else
But I will likely stay with the q-jet, because I read mostly good things about them and it will be fun to irritate all the germans, who think that everything without a big EDELBROCK on it is bad and worthless
Don't know if I should get a 70 or later model to use the existing choke mechanism, or maybe the 66 model is the best for this engine?!
I also don't know where to get it from...the best deals seem to be the Autoline remanufactured carbs on rockauto, but there sure are some better ones around.
If I wasn't on a tight budget, I would just search someone to build me one, that would still work fine with some possible future upgrades!
Thanks for taking your time and answering all my questions I really appreciate it!
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Old August 9th, 2012, 08:57 PM
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www.sparkyscarbs.com


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Old August 9th, 2012, 09:16 PM
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Originally Posted by oldcutlass
It really does not matter how it's hooked as long as it does not bind and allow full movement of the throttle...
well, yeah it kind of does matter. if your geometry and throw are wrong, you'll cause excessive wear on the throttle shaft bore. you may also cause excessive force on the end of the throttle shaft, which could cause it to break off, then you have a real problem as in this application there is nothing to close the throttle. you can also make the car a real pita to drive.


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Old August 10th, 2012, 06:31 AM
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Originally Posted by BILL DEMMER
That's what I was searching for thanks! Just can't find an e-mail adress to ask for a quote and if he offers international shipping
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Old August 10th, 2012, 07:59 AM
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Originally Posted by BILL DEMMER
well, yeah it kind of does matter. if your geometry and throw are wrong, you'll cause excessive wear on the throttle shaft bore. you may also cause excessive force on the end of the throttle shaft, which could cause it to break off, then you have a real problem as in this application there is nothing to close the throttle. you can also make the car a real pita to drive.


bill
Bill I think I covered those scenarios in my statement.

Originally Posted by oldcutlass
It really does not matter how it's hooked as long as it does not bind and allow full movement of the throttle...
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Old August 10th, 2012, 08:39 AM
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Originally Posted by dancutlass
That's what I was searching for thanks! Just can't find an e-mail adress to ask for a quote and if he offers international shipping
sparkman@wi.rr.com


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Old August 21st, 2012, 01:24 PM
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Originally Posted by BILL DEMMER
Thank you Bill! I tried to send him an email, but it seems as if the address is not existing any more...
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Old August 21st, 2012, 01:54 PM
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Dan, did you also use the 72 q-jet intake? Did your 66 originally have a q-jet? I would rebuild the q-jet before I bought a generic carb. I have head of some guys who have had no problems and others who were totally unappy. Obviously, being in Germany comlicates things I have alwaysused www.cliffshighperformance.com for everyhing Quadrajet. Although he specializes in Pontiac, he can rebuild or ell grea rebuild kits wih parts that don't leak, no matter what kind of fuel or additives you have. He usually answers the phone, and might be able to help figure out what is wrong.
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Old August 21st, 2012, 02:19 PM
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Originally Posted by brown7373
Dan, did you also use the 72 q-jet intake? Did your 66 originally have a q-jet? I would rebuild the q-jet before I bought a generic carb. I have head of some guys who have had no problems and others who were totally unappy. Obviously, being in Germany comlicates things I have alwaysused www.cliffshighperformance.com for everyhing Quadrajet. Although he specializes in Pontiac, he can rebuild or ell grea rebuild kits wih parts that don't leak, no matter what kind of fuel or additives you have. He usually answers the phone, and might be able to help figure out what is wrong.
It did originally have a q-jet and it is the original intake as well. Don't know why they put on the 72 carb
I definately want to keep the q-jet and cliffs seems to be a good source of information and for parts! Thank you for the recommendation
I'll send him an e-mail, as well! I don't have enough time to think about how to express what I mean on the phone
Thanks again!
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Old August 21st, 2012, 03:49 PM
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Dan, I would have thought by now you had this licked! Hey, how did the radiator work out?
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Old August 21st, 2012, 04:22 PM
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Originally Posted by oldcutlass
Dan, I would have thought by now you had this licked! Hey, how did the radiator work out?
Temporarily I have it under control, but in the long run I want something new and more reliable
Seems like you haven't read my letter of appreciation in the radiator thread yet
It works just great many thanks again
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Old August 21st, 2012, 04:37 PM
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I did n't go back through em! glad it worked out. The last time I looked was after it was installed and you hadn't driven it yet.

Last edited by oldcutlass; August 21st, 2012 at 04:41 PM.
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Old August 21st, 2012, 06:26 PM
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Originally Posted by dancutlass
Thank you Bill! I tried to send him an email, but it seems as if the address is not existing any more...
hmm, it works for me.

if you want to send it to me, i will forward it.
billdemmer@wi.freei.net


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