Throttle issue

[gmd]

Fits and starts in first gear.
Have adjusted linkages, timing...
Flow problem in Weber carb maybe?

[GeorgeT]

So what is your problem? Your post doesn't describe a problem.

[gmd]

First gear acts like a creeper...
with fits and starts, jerking, not smooth acceleration
until the shift to second.

[18Fiatsandcounting]

Do you have the mechanical (rod and lever) mechanism for the throttle linkage, or the cable mechanism of later model years?

The reason I ask is that, on my '69 and '71 spiders, the original rod and lever mechanism suffered from a design flaw. When you stepped on the gas, the engine would tilt slightly and this had the effect of very slightly closing the throttle again, and the ending would then tilt back and the throttle would reopen slightly, and so on. This would develop into an oscillation where the engine would buck back and forth, and it took a very careful approach to giving the engine gas to avoid this problem. It was especially noticeable in first gear, and the famous "rubber clutch" feel of the spiders didn't help matters. Revving the engine to 2000 rpm and then slipping the clutch a fair amount helped, but of course that isn't good on your clutch in the long run.

The solution for me was to switch the gas pedal and linkage to the cable version.

There could be many other sources for your problem, such as flat spots on acceleration, problems with the idle circuit, wrong ignition timing, etc. If you give us a more detailed description of what the car is doing, we might be able to figure it out.

-Bryan

[gmd]

Thanks Bryan.

Your description just about sums it up.

How involved is the switch to cable?
Time, difficulty, cost...

Geoff

[18Fiatsandcounting]

How involved is the switch to cable?
Time, difficulty, cost...

It's not terribly hard, but the main challenge is coming up with the parts. You can likely find a throttle cable easy enough, but then you need the tension spring/lever arrangement that mounts on top of the intake camshaft cover (and to make sure the hood still closes). You may also need a gas pedal from a later model model that has the fixture at the end for the cable.

Here's what that spring lever arrangement looks like:
https://www.midwest-bayless.com/p-16621 ... renew.aspx
You might be able to find a used one at a junk yard, along with the gas pedal. Which is what I did. I just took the gas pedal, cable, and "throttle linkage assembly" from a later model car, and then played around one afternoon until I got it all to work. You also need a rod that goes from this linkage assembly to the ball on the end of the carb's throttle shaft lever.

So, Time = an afternoon once you have the parts.
Difficulty = not too bad if you're good with cobbling things together. Might be challenging for a beginner.
Cost = $30 or so if used parts from a junkyard, more if you buy new parts.

All that being said, I lived with my '69 spider for decades before I made the switch. I just learned to either: 1) start out in second gear if I could, 2) slip the clutch as I mentioned earlier, and 3) back off on the throttle if it went into this oscillation thing. Neither of these was a good solution, so I guess I just learned to live with it until I switched things over.

-Bryan

[gmd]

Thanks Bryan...

[baltobernie]

Send an email to John Erskine
ChesapeakeSpiders@verizon.net
He has inventory of the entire assembly necessary for conversion.