The Ford Barn

Colonel Biggs · 12-09-2023, 05:25 PM

My accelerator control assembly is essentially inoperative. When I pull the gas rod down at the steering column, increased rpms do not kick in until the lever is almost all the way down.

I have attached a photo from the right side of the engine compartment. You can see the gray exhaust manifold, and where the accelerator assembly attaches to the control rod to the carb. It appears that the rod on the assembly is bent too far rearward, which is why I have to pull the gas control lever almost all the way down in order to thrust the pictured assembly connection forward.

Is it possible to adjust the amount of bend with the assembly on the car? The amount would obviously be a guesstimate. Should rpms increase on the first two downward clicks on the control lever? The rod on the assembly appears thinner at this point; is there a risk of it snapping while trying to adjust? Or, should I have a second person apply flame from a torch to "soften" the rod?

Model A - Accelerator Assembly.jpg

Colonel Biggs · 12-09-2023, 05:29 PM

Photo is not appearing. It was uploaded, but maybe too large?

TMarsh · 12-09-2023, 06:37 PM

Bends very easily without heat, you won't break it. Had to bend mine to get full throttle after I changed from a Zenith carburetor to a Tillyl. Have someone step on accelerator in car as you make adjustments. Easiest two person job you can do on an A.

z

Gary WA · 12-09-2023, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colonel Biggs

My accelerator control assembly is essentially inoperative. When I pull the gas rod down at the steering column, increased rpms do not kick in until the lever is almost all the way down.

I have attached a photo from the right side of the engine compartment. You can see the gray exhaust manifold, and where the accelerator assembly attaches to the control rod to the carb. It appears that the rod on the assembly is bent too far rearward, which is why I have to pull the gas control lever almost all the way down in order to thrust the pictured assembly connection forward.

Is it possible to adjust the amount of bend with the assembly on the car? The amount would obviously be a guesstimate. Should rpms increase on the first two downward clicks on the control lever? The rod on the assembly appears thinner at this point; is there a risk of it snapping while trying to adjust? Or, should I have a second person apply flame from a torch to "soften" the rod?

Attachment 531774

What steering box and year model A do you have?assembly looks ok to me. Do you have the proper rods/length attached. Take picture from drivers side showing rods and steering box!

nkaminar · 12-09-2023, 07:03 PM

Is it only the hand throttle that is a problem? Does the foot throttle operate OK?

If you have the later 2 tooth steering box, the steering column can be rotated after loosening the clamp at the bottom. That may help but probably not enough.

You can bend the rod that goes from the end of the arm on the steering wheel or cut it and install a spark rod sleeve. These are made for the spark rod but will work on any control rod.

Check to see that the arm on the rotating control rod does not have a broken rivet at the bottom. These rivets are soft are usually just broken to remove the arm by pounding on the end of the rotating rod.

Marshall V. Daut · 12-09-2023, 07:06 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

If bending is necessary, one person can do the job with two vise grips.
Marshall

Gary WA · 12-09-2023, 07:11 PM

couple of mine.

Gene F · 12-09-2023, 07:29 PM

When it comes all the way back when you step on the throttle does the carb open fully? (Look inside with a flashlight - a helper can step on the gas pedal) IF IT DOES, then the thing at the other end is likely off another car, and is wrong. The little tree that the hand control hits on the engine side of the firewall. It's held on with a roll pin, and has a washer at the top (a special washer so keep it). In order to change this (if this be the cause) the assembly needs to come off the car via removing the toe board of the floor.

My assembly had to be changed, and mine does not advance the throttle pedal till about 1/2 way down. I just drive it that way.

Colonel Biggs · 12-09-2023, 09:25 PM

Super helpful comments! This is a '31 Deluxe Roadster that I restored ground-up about 14 years ago. Since I never use the gas throttle lever, I never thought to check it at the time. The gas pedal itself works perfectly, and the car runs fine.

I will report back on the adjustment.

Thanks again for the many rapid (and helpful) responses!

Smokedtires · 12-11-2023, 10:05 AM

Make sure the metal finger that goes from the hand throttle rod to the throttle assembly is behind the throttle pedal arm. I'm guessing the finger may be in front of it, on the engine side and not the interior side. You can see this looking in from the engine compartment.

abachman3 · 12-11-2023, 04:42 PM

I have bent them using a box end of a wrench. Do it cold, no heat necessary.

Smokedtires · 12-12-2023, 07:10 PM

Here is a couple pictures of the hand throttle finger I mentioned previously that adjust the pedal with the hand lever.

12-09-2023, 05:25 PM	#1
Colonel Biggs Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Madison, NJ Posts: 156	Adjusting Accelerator Assembly My accelerator control assembly is essentially inoperative. When I pull the gas rod down at the steering column, increased rpms do not kick in until the lever is almost all the way down. I have attached a photo from the right side of the engine compartment. You can see the gray exhaust manifold, and where the accelerator assembly attaches to the control rod to the carb. It appears that the rod on the assembly is bent too far rearward, which is why I have to pull the gas control lever almost all the way down in order to thrust the pictured assembly connection forward. Is it possible to adjust the amount of bend with the assembly on the car? The amount would obviously be a guesstimate. Should rpms increase on the first two downward clicks on the control lever? The rod on the assembly appears thinner at this point; is there a risk of it snapping while trying to adjust? Or, should I have a second person apply flame from a torch to "soften" the rod? Model A - Accelerator Assembly.jpg

12-09-2023, 06:37 PM	#3
TMarsh Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2019 Posts: 131	Re: Adjusting Accelerator Assembly Bends very easily without heat, you won't break it. Had to bend mine to get full throttle after I changed from a Zenith carburetor to a Tillyl. Have someone step on accelerator in car as you make adjustments. Easiest two person job you can do on an A. z

12-09-2023, 07:03 PM	#5
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,897	Re: Adjusting Accelerator Assembly Is it only the hand throttle that is a problem? Does the foot throttle operate OK? If you have the later 2 tooth steering box, the steering column can be rotated after loosening the clamp at the bottom. That may help but probably not enough. You can bend the rod that goes from the end of the arm on the steering wheel or cut it and install a spark rod sleeve. These are made for the spark rod but will work on any control rod. Check to see that the arm on the rotating control rod does not have a broken rivet at the bottom. These rivets are soft are usually just broken to remove the arm by pounding on the end of the rotating rod. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past. Last edited by nkaminar; 12-13-2023 at 07:50 AM.

12-09-2023, 07:06 PM	#6
Marshall V. Daut Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Davenport, Iowa Posts: 2,112	Re: Adjusting Accelerator Assembly Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) If bending is necessary, one person can do the job with two vise grips. Marshall

12-09-2023, 07:11 PM	#7
Gary WA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Clinton,WA/Whidbey Island Posts: 4,105	Re: Adjusting Accelerator Assembly couple of mine. __________________ www.whidbeymodelaclub.com Last edited by Gary WA; 12-30-2023 at 02:34 PM.

12-09-2023, 07:29 PM	#8
Gene F Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,973	Re: Adjusting Accelerator Assembly When it comes all the way back when you step on the throttle does the carb open fully? (Look inside with a flashlight - a helper can step on the gas pedal) IF IT DOES, then the thing at the other end is likely off another car, and is wrong. The little tree that the hand control hits on the engine side of the firewall. It's held on with a roll pin, and has a washer at the top (a special washer so keep it). In order to change this (if this be the cause) the assembly needs to come off the car via removing the toe board of the floor. My assembly had to be changed, and mine does not advance the throttle pedal till about 1/2 way down. I just drive it that way.

12-09-2023, 09:25 PM	#9
Colonel Biggs Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Madison, NJ Posts: 156	Re: Adjusting Accelerator Assembly Super helpful comments! This is a '31 Deluxe Roadster that I restored ground-up about 14 years ago. Since I never use the gas throttle lever, I never thought to check it at the time. The gas pedal itself works perfectly, and the car runs fine. I will report back on the adjustment. Thanks again for the many rapid (and helpful) responses!

12-11-2023, 10:05 AM	#10
Smokedtires Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2022 Location: Baldwinsville NY Posts: 174	Re: Adjusting Accelerator Assembly Make sure the metal finger that goes from the hand throttle rod to the throttle assembly is behind the throttle pedal arm. I'm guessing the finger may be in front of it, on the engine side and not the interior side. You can see this looking in from the engine compartment.

12-11-2023, 04:42 PM	#11
abachman3 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Western Springs, IL Posts: 324	Re: Adjusting Accelerator Assembly I have bent them using a box end of a wrench. Do it cold, no heat necessary.