Page 1 of 1
Six Cylinder Grenade!
Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2008 7:17 pm
by Longhunter7
Things got real interesting this afternoon! I started up my M37-B1 and it immediately went to full throttle!
The throttle linkage came apart, allowing the engine to runaway.
I immediately shut it down to prevent a six cylinder grenade!
Be careful to check your linkage so this doesn't happen to you.

Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2008 9:02 pm
by nivek
LH7....
Damn glad you got the engine shutdown OK..
What part or parts of linkage fell apart to cause the problem???
If you did, or can, get pics of what went wrong?
kL
Runaway!
Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2008 9:22 pm
by Longhunter7
nivek,
There is a small piece of linkage about three inches long that comes up from the main throttle linkage and attaches to a pivoting piece on the back of the carb.
There is a 90% bend in this linkage that goes through the rear of the carb and is held on with a small nut on a threaded shaft.
The nut must have been loose for some time, because the threads were worn off and the nut was long gone.
When the small link popped out of the carb, it allowed the carb to go full throttle!
Sid Beck is saving my butt again by sending me a new piece of linkage as the old one has stripped threads.
When I get the new linkage, I'll take a picture of the old and the new!

Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2008 6:27 am
by Cal_Gary
Been there done that, when I was solving my carb issues-the governor saved me. Sid Beck has the throttle arm linkage? I'll have to contact him-mine is the same as yours, threads toast....
Gary
Linkage
Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2008 6:51 am
by Longhunter7
Cal_Gary,
The small vertical linkage that goes to the carb has a 90% bend at the top that goes into the carb.
There is about 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch of threads and a nut to hold it on the carb. Those threads are all worn off from the nut being loose for a while.
There wasn't enough there to put a nut back on, so I need a new one.
Sid had one and is sending it my way. I hope he has another one for you!

Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2008 1:04 pm
by Cal_Gary
Yep, that's exactly how mine is-threads stripped at the 90* that goes into the throttle body arm.
Gary
Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2008 4:59 pm
by MSeriesRebuild
The throttle is held wide open by the governor spring, it is pulled back to idle by the pedal return spring that is connected via the link rod on the firewall. If linkage comes apart between the governor shaft & the shaft that crosses the back of the engine, she heads for the moon.
Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 3:43 am
by knattrass
I was holding the throttle arm when we first tried to fire ours because the cab was not on the vehicle... little did I know that this little secret about going to WOT. Luckily Zach was quick to kill the spark... gotta tell you, i needed a few minutes to catch my breath and a few more to change my shorts.