Hey everybody, my name is Luke and I a new here, however, I have been a lurker here for several weeks due to my recent purchase of a '77 'vette. I wanted to share a little of my experiences so far then get some technical input from ya'll towards the end. I really appreciate this forum and all the help it has given me in selecting and rehabilitating my wifes new car.

I started out working on this car by redoing the rear brakes and bleeding the entire system. Thanks to ya'll here that wen't pretty smoothly especially since I had never touched a corvette before. The I moved on to the power steering leak which turned out to be just a split hose, so I replaced the power steering return hose and also the hose next to it. Now I come to the most interesting part of my story.

I went out to test drive it with my wife (after I had taken it around the block a few times) and was out on the freeway when I had to suddenly accelerate out of the exit lane due to being blinded by the DB behind me. I let off the gas but the RPM and speed kept climbing to about 70-75mph. I realized the throttle was stuck so I threw the car into neutral and shut it off and coasted onto the shoulder. My wife was shaken especially since she wanted this as her daily driver. I was pissed because it seems like I cant keep this car on the road for more than a couple of hours before I have to fix something else.

I would appreciate any help diagnosing this problem that I can get. The car has an after market Holley carb ( not sure the model) and alot of other stuff such as full hooker headers all the way back.

I know the basics and am hoping that it is something as simple as a stuck throttle cable. Thanks alot for having a fantastic forum here

 

You're on the right track. With engine off, check your cable throughout the movement to see if it catches or binds anywhere. If that's clear, make sure your return spring is properly connected to pull the throttle closed when you release the throttle. The NHRA forbids racing unless you have a dual throttle return spring setup. That's all about safety and it applies just as much on the street. You may simply need another return spring to close the throttle properly. Good luck with that and the rest of the car.

 

Agree with above...check the linkage for binding first and then look at your return spring...might be getting sloppy or maybe it's not there at all. Unnerving experience to have happen on the highway I'm sure.

 

With a replacement Holley and probably a replacement air cleaner, the throttle bell crank is probably hitting the bottom of the cleaner.

 

exellent

 

Also check your carpet and floor mat to make sure your pedal is not getting stuck.

 

My first Vette, a '77, would stick under WOT....cruise control linkage was hanging up. As I recall, a small square plastic clip would pull through a bracket (because the plastic clip was broken) and hang up not letting the throttle return back.....rather scary with almost 500 HP and WOT !!!!

 

"I was pissed because it seems like I cant keep this car on the road for more than a couple of hours before I have to fix something else".

Hi Luke

Welcome to the world of Corvetting! You must remember the newest of these C3 cars are 30 years old and your 77 is about 5 years older. It has been my experience that the drive to work ratio is much in the favor of work. You posted you just got your first recently. It will take a long time to work out all the bugs.

When you get "pissed" just hand wash the car I love the feel of those lines.

 

Welcome and congrats on your new purchase. Being an older car, they take constant care and maintenance. Good ideas from above, keep smiling, keep working on it and have some fun.

 

Thanks everyone for your help, It turned out that the spring was just sticking and a little carb cleaner and WD40 fixed it right up, however, now the intake manifold gasket is leaking oil... FML!! My wife now wants to just get rid of the car and since it was going to be her daily driver I guess we gotta get rid of it since she is scared to drive it.

Fortunately my boss decided he had to have it and he is paying $15k for it problems and all since it is his dream car.