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throttle return spring hell

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Old Jul 8, 2013 | 01:06 PM
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Default throttle return spring hell

I have a 65 327/350 with a Holley carb 4150 2818. JohnZ helped me last week with a linkage question. With just the correct stock return spring attached, it doesn't seem to be enough tension to return the throttle and the throttle is remaining open (scary). I hooked up a second spring inside the original, but the only way I got it to work was by inserting it into the same hole as the original. This defeats the purpose for safety reasons and it didn't work when I attached it to the hole underneath. I tried attaching it to the secondary hole on the intake manifold bracket but then the two springs got entwined. Any help would be appreciated.
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Old Jul 8, 2013 | 01:26 PM
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Hooking the end or ends of the two springs to the same point of attachment doesn't harm anything. For a safety factor, the risk of breakage is in the spring itself. That's probably about the only way you can hook up concentric springs without risk of them binding up during throttle travel.
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Old Jul 8, 2013 | 01:28 PM
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The same hole in the end of the rod is fine for safety. One spring should also return the throttle easily, is it binding on something? Is the spring too thin or too long? I have two on mine just for a backup. Can you post a picture of what yours looks like?
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Old Jul 8, 2013 | 02:14 PM
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it isn't binding on anything, I am using a brand new spring from Long Island Corvette and a smaller generic one that I think is too strong because the plastic bushing is being pulled unevenly so I put a washer in there but I don't like it. I am at work and will take a pic later this afternoon. thanks
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Old Jul 8, 2013 | 02:15 PM
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can you send a photo of your setup?
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Old Jul 8, 2013 | 03:25 PM
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Originally Posted by psycho610
it isn't binding on anything, I am using a brand new spring from Long Island Corvette and a smaller generic one that I think is too strong because the plastic bushing is being pulled unevenly so I put a washer in there but I don't like it. I am at work and will take a pic later this afternoon. thanks
You mean like this? Mine has been like that for a couple of years with no problems:

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Old Jul 8, 2013 | 03:46 PM
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yes but your second spring looks better then mine. mine is not as big and is very strong (tightly wound) but my bushing looks the same like that
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Old Jul 8, 2013 | 03:56 PM
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I bought mine at O'Reilly's. They are called throttle return springs and come two in a package. They have a long straight piece that you can bend according to how much tension you want on them and are small enough to easily fit inside the larger stock spring.

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Old Jul 8, 2013 | 04:58 PM
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thank you, I will try that. I'm just a newbie girl.
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Old Jul 8, 2013 | 05:22 PM
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I use a Holley 600 dp. The front spring attaches to carb and comes down and attaches at the thermostat sender pulling it closed.


Rear spring attaches to rod and pulls it forward using a stand-off on the manifold.

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Old Jul 8, 2013 | 11:49 PM
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Originally Posted by 65GGvert
You mean like this? Mine has been like that for a couple of years with no problems:

Psycho,

Your 2818 should have a hole in the throttle shaft arm just in front of and below where the throttle linkage connects. Both springs attach there, not on the throttle linkage rod. I will try to post a photo of the correct configuration tomorrow. FYI, the carb in the above photo is not a 2818.
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Old Jul 8, 2013 | 11:51 PM
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Originally Posted by psycho610
I have a 65 327/350 with a Holley carb 4150 2818. JohnZ helped me last week with a linkage question. With just the correct stock return spring attached, it doesn't seem to be enough tension to return the throttle and the throttle is remaining open (scary). I hooked up a second spring inside the original, but the only way I got it to work was by inserting it into the same hole as the original. This defeats the purpose for safety reasons and it didn't work when I attached it to the hole underneath. I tried attaching it to the secondary hole on the intake manifold bracket but then the two springs got entwined. Any help would be appreciated.
If you haven't discovered it already, the smaller spring goes inside the larger one.
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Old Jul 9, 2013 | 07:32 AM
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Dorman products makes some original style double springs. I sell a lot of them in my store.
Joe

http://www.dormanproducts.com/p-5218-59209.aspx

http://www.dormanproducts.com/p-10101-59208.aspx
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Old Jul 9, 2013 | 09:04 AM
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One spring should be enough. There is something binding. How far does the throttle stay open? Does the engine just high idle, or does it race? Does it do it with the air cleaner off?
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Old Jul 9, 2013 | 10:29 AM
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Originally Posted by stingrayl76
Psycho,

Your 2818 should have a hole in the throttle shaft arm just in front of and below where the throttle linkage connects. Both springs attach there, not on the throttle linkage rod. I will try to post a photo of the correct configuration tomorrow. FYI, the carb in the above photo is not a 2818.




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Old Jul 9, 2013 | 12:49 PM
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Nothing is binding and just using the stock spring doesn't return the throttle. It does it with the air cleaner off. I tried connecting 2 springs to the hole in the throttle shaft arm but the throttle would not return and stayed open. I think my smaller spring has too much tension. Your blue spring looks better on the outside of the stock one. Where did you get it? The local auto parts around here only has small ones.
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Old Jul 9, 2013 | 03:56 PM
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Just read your profile - congratulations on your long ownership of this car and getting it back on the road. You have come to the right place for any help - it just may take a little give and take to get there.
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Old Jul 9, 2013 | 04:13 PM
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The spring set up has been on there for 14 years so I can truthfully say I can't remember where it came from. Most autoparts stores carry the dual springs.

It really doesn't take much tension to return the carb to the idle position. I suspect something else is the culprit. With the return spring installed, start the car and disconnect the throttle linkage at the pedal end. Sometimes, for whatever reason, the rod is too short and will not let the carb return to idle. Also make sure the choke linkage is not the culprit. Another culprit could be the secondary throttle plates being slightly open, so when you close the primary throttle plates completely the engine is still being fed air and fuel via the secondaries. There is an adjustment for the secondaries at the bottom, right, rear of the carb.

Advance Auto Parts==>LINK
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Old Jul 9, 2013 | 04:52 PM
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just got the carb back from Eric Jackson. I think I connected the linkage correctly because I used the Assembly Manual and followed directions. It will return ok manually. When I connect the two springs to the hole in the throttle rod, it works but hangs up on the inner spring because it's too tight. I am going to change it tonight with a bigger second spring and connect them to the hole on the throttle, like stingrayl76 says. will keep you posted. thanks everyone!!! so glad to have all your expertise and knowledge available so quickly. will update tonight
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Old Jul 9, 2013 | 08:57 PM
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After a few combos, I finally got this to work!!! Need to try it around town locally first. Thanks everyone!

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