Second Opinions on 1965 Accelerator

Hi guys,

You've all been very helpful in the past. So here's my new situation:

I've got a 1965 Chevy Sportvan (straight 6). It's still under 100,000 miles so most parts are still original.

About 2-3 months ago the accelerator pedal started to stick a little while at stop lights etc. The engine would of course be slightly revved too much so I started to just reach down and pull the pedal back up so that everything idled normally. After a couple of months of this I now have the opposite problem which is that when I'm at a stop light or when I'm slowing down to a stop, the engine dies unless I push the gas pedal down slightly to keep it revved.

I'm guessing this is an accelerator issue and not a fuel pump or carb issue because everything runs well at normal speeds. I've searched this forum for this same topic but didn't find this exact problem.

Can anyone give me a second opinion before I get deeper into fixing my van? Did I do some damage by pulling the accelerator up at every stop light? Is there some sort of linkage that controls the gas flow that may be out of whack or damaged?

Here are the symptoms:
1) Before starting the engine the gas pedal will stay on the floor when pushed as if no pressure is pushing back. Once the van is started this does not happen again.
2) As mentioned above the pedal will stick down just a little at stop lights so that it is too revved.
3) If it doesn't stick down (and remains at normal up position) the engine will die as if it ran out of gas.
4) I've noticed that right behind the front bumper, where the accelerator rod starts going back towards the engine, the rod does not sit perfectly centered in the round hole that it goes through. It appears to be resting on the bottom part of the hole.
5) I'm not really getting any unusual sputtering or backfiring.
6) Drives great once we are moving.

Thanks guys.
Mike
Vancouver, WA

Hey Mike,
There are several things that may be an issue for you.
Sounds like you carb idle is not set correctly for starts.
Manually throttle the carb (At the carb with hand) to see if the carb is sticking.

Also sounds like your cable or reversing linkage may be sticking. Put a heavier return spring and see if it is any better (Not a fix, just a test) If it still sticks or is slow to return open your doghouse and check your reversing linkage by moving it back and forth (Should move freely) If not lube and work it until it works smoothly and check the action pedal again. Still not working smoothly? Oil the pedal hinge (Guessing you did this anyway). And as far as it working ok once you get going is just an accident waiting to happen. Most likely the vibration is causing it to not to stick and at some point it will wear until it sticks permanently (Hopefully not with the pedal down! While your driving) Find a way to adjust the cable rod so it no longer rest on the bottom of the guide hole. That alone could be your problem. If all that fails to fix it then you have a bad cable........ Hope this helps...

Dan

Hahaha! Funny I forgot that Don...
That's the first thing I had to fix on mine...

Sorry,pic turned out bad.
If ya cant find one local:paragon reproductions 1-800-882-4688 part #3731K bushings 63-67 accel rod pedal pivot, pair

You guys have once again proven to be the best source of vintage van information on the web. This is above and beyond an average response. Thank you.

As for the repairs, I'm going to start digging into this tomorrow. I'll take all this info and see what we can do. Of course I'll stick to the 'keep it simple stupid' approach and start with the easiest and the obvious. Checking the bushings is probably step one. I'll post my findings here so others can use it as a resource later.

Mike

RESULTS:

Don was right with the 'keep it simple stupid' approach. I always aim for this approach but sometimes it gets left behind for a more elaborate explanation.

The main issue for the gas pedal sticking and high revs at stop lights was simply due to the shaft/bushings (next to the gas pedal) needed greasin'. Just used a little bit of WD40 and soaked in motor oil until it started moving freely again. Didn't even have to remove the bushings. Easy. Free.

As for the stalling that had recently started, there was a vacuum hose that had somehow come disconnected from the carb. Easy. Free.

Simple simple simple. Drives like new again.

Thanks guys.

Mike