MG MGB and MGB GT Tech Talk
I took the old B on a long drive the other day (in xs of 150 miles) and on the whole we got on well!
The only little glitch was over the last 5 miles the throttle became a little sticky so during gear changes it over revved. Is this something just as simple as a bit of WD40 or grease on the footpedal hinge or will it be sticking somewhere on the other end?
Thanks
Pull the throttle cable off and work some light oil ( I used some carb damper oil) down the cable. If it is still binding check to make the throttle lever is not binding some where and check where the cable goes through the firewall to the pedal to make sure it is not binding there. While you have the cable off check the pedal to make sure it still moves freely if it doesn't then the problem may be in the pedal.
Hope that helps.
Martin,
Neil covered the most obvious bits. While you've got it all apart, check to see if the cable rubs as it passes through the firewall (under the conical "hat" in the engine bay). That wouldn't cause your problem, but I found that mine was rubbing on the edge of the metal hole due to the gas pedal not being aligned just right. A short piece of 3/8" PEX tubing can serve as a soft bushing to protect the cable.
Steve
Likely the problems mentioned by the others - but there is one other weird cause.
If the grounding strap on the engine has failed, the engine starts by using the throttle cable as a ground. This overheats the cable and melts the plastic inside. Took me the longest time to find that problem.
One other thing i forgot to mention, double check your throttle return springs, make sure they are still good (have enough tension in them to pull the throttle lever back to idle).
I tried more greases and oils than you could shake a stick at. Bought a new cable and within a week it developed that same ratchety, sticky feel. You could even hear it.
Someone mentioned trying antiseize/neverseize.
I tinned the end of the cable so it wouldn't come unbraided. Pulled the cable from its sheath. Put antiseize on the cable...a healthy dose. Reinserted the cable into the sheath (this is where the tinning of the cable end comes in).
Installed the cable and have had no further troubles. Four months and counting.
Lots of ways to skin a cat. This one worked for me.
BTW...what mess do you manage?
