Howdy!
Just got back from a tour in Iraq this past Friday night. Spent some time getting to know the family again, and now I need to get my 72 back on the road.
Just before I left (like hours before I left) I ran into a throttle cable problem--The cable housing frayed and came apart at the curve just past the firewall, causing too much friction to pull the linkage. Being a bicycle guy, that should be easy to fix (I think). I pulled the wooden pedal board in preparation for installing a new cable -- that was a pain. Is is just as hard to get back on? Is it a necessary part?

Also, just before I left, I installed a bosch hot start fix kit, and it started fine. I'm stationed in 29 Palms, and it get's freakin' hot here. Now, it won't crank at all. Tried to jump it, and still nothing. I hear the electronics in the engine compartment coming on, but nothing at all from the starter. I'm going to clean all the contacts after church today. I suspect the starter, but it worked fine when I left in Feb. Maybe a bad connection somewhere.

Finally, one actual question: The car has been sitting since Feb. It's got dual carbs--is there anything special I need to know before I get it on the road again? should I invest in some carb cleaner before I even try to fire it up?


It's great to be back!

Scott
MSgt---USMC!

Scott, I can't help you with you problem. I would however like to Thank You for your services, your sacrifices and Welcome back!

First off thanks!!!!

Now not the expert but here is my opinion:

If you didnt use stabil or some thing like it drain the gas and get new. Change the oil. Then get some GOOD gas filters..... Here is the questionable part... "after oil change with no spark turn the engine over a few times to get oil moving"

Clean carb jets and fire away....

Our gas tanks after storage can accumulate crap and each time we remove fuel hose we can add jet clogging pieces.... New filters!!!!! Thats the biggest issue I had when I started driving mine after storage.. Jets kept getting dirty....

We salute and thank you, Scott! Best of luck!

Thank you for your service and welcome home.

Welcome home Scott!

Welcome back and Thank You for your Service.

Ditto to all comments about your service and contribution to the war on terror. You said when you tried to boost your car nothing happened, this is normal for a totally dead battery, a dead battery will not take a boost. leave the cables on for ten minutes or so, the charging system of donor vehicle will charge your battery enough for it to take a boost, then your charging system will take over. Don't turn on any accessories if you don't have to, especially when trying to start yopur car. The best thing to do if you have the time and a charger is to actually charge your battery.

Ian Stott
Moncton
Canada

Get it running or trailer it to The BBQ on the 7th, and I will personally get it running...

Thgank you for your service.

BJH

Thanks for all you've dpne for us back home U-Rah!
Konrad

Thank you, and welcome home!!!

Glad to have you back! I just went through a similar issue with my starter and purchased one of the hi-torgue starters from eBay for $120. Worked out great and save a couple pounds.

Does the fuel pump work?

If so try to bump start it.

BJH

Great, now Aaron is volunteering me to do it too...

I dont need help volonteering dammit

BJH

Welcome home



In response to your question, the pedal board is necessary (without it you have no stop for the clutch pedal and can mess up the cable).
As far as the started not engaging, I agree with one of the previous responses about having a totally dead battery. Thats an easy fix. Like suggested above I would drain the tank and replace the fuel filters soon so you don't clog your carbs. Good luck

Welcome back... I hope that you enjoy some well deserved time off!

To answer your questions.

1. Yes, the pedal board is a necessary part. Properly adjusted, it prevents the pedals from pushing down too far and putting undue stress on the cables. Try pushing the pedals a bit to R&R the board.

2. Regarding starting: Consider swapping the battery, or at least take it to your local auto parts store and have them test and fully charge it for you. Clean your battery connections. Clean the ground point from the negative cable to the chassis. Clean all connections at the starter. Check and clean the transmission grounding strap. Remember - when you clean, clean the cable and the mounting surface so they're bright and shiny.

3. I agree about the Stabil comments. If you didn't use it, then drain the tank and put in new fuel. Swap out your fuel filters. I wouldn't hurt to clean the carbs a little bit... ensure your jets are clean.

Again, welcome back!

Welcome back! Thanks to you and your bretheren (and sisteren? is that a word?) for all that you do for us. We appreciate you!

I think I recall someone having an engine failure due to old gas. Something about varish deposits on the valves causing sticking. Welcome back, Thank you for your service.

Thanks to everyone for the support! I really do appreciate it.

The starter issue turned out to be a combination dead battery and blown fuse on the Bosch hot start kit I installed. I think I'm going to go with a new starter (one of those high torque mini ones) to really fix the problem.

I figured that the pedal board would be a required item---why else would they engineer somthing to be that much of a pain unless it was a must have?

I'm gonna drain the fuel tank today--luckily there wasn't much in it.

Thus begins my car project til I deploy again next year. The car is a 72 1.7l all original except for the FI was replaced with webers. My father-in-law (the original owner) had an engine fire a couple years ago that burned up parts of the FI.

I'm planning on nicer wheels, new paint (gotta stay with yellow, though). and eventually one of those great engines from Jake.

Thanks again for the support! This is a great board full of great people!

Scott

OK-got the throttle cable replaced--got it through a buggy specialist here in the high desert that insists he doesn't want anything to do with type IV engines. So we're back on the road! Next up is driver side door handle repair, and probably a new stereo.

Thanks to everyone for the support and encouragement!

Scott