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MG Midget and Sprite General - throttle response - 1500

Hello Chaps,

I've just acquired a 79 1500 midget and immediately noticed the throttle response is unusual. I wondered if anyone else has this problem and if so is there a solution or do you learn to live with it?

Essentially, the throttle is lovely and smooth when depressed half way - to full... but there appears to be a sticking point when lightly depressed - this makes pulling off and driving in traffic a nightmare.
At first I thought the linkage was binding on the bulkhead but now i'm not so sure and think it might be the way the carbs are set up.

Any ideas?

C
C L Carter

hi c,
got one myself and had same problem, i read the archives and apparantly all 1500 had that problem and it was the way the throttle cable is routed. got myself a new cable and all is fine.
hope this helps bob.
trebor

amazing... if thats all it is I will be so happy!
C L Carter

Hey Christian,

I have the same problem on my 1500. I have tried replacing the cable with a nice long one made from a bicycle brake cable (teflon lined) but it made no difference!
Might have to investigate further, but for now have developed the superb right foot control required to handle London traffic!
I may have enough spare bike cable around to give you some, just have to work out where it is!

-- Josh
J Levine

Hi C,

I had the same thing. The inner part of the old cable had frayed a little causing it to stick in certain poitions. A few pounds worth of bike brake cable and a drilled bolt to secure it to the pedal mounting and it was like a different car. I seem to remember reading that it was a good idea to start long so you have big raduis bends. Tight bends leads to stiffness. You can always trim it down later. I just left mine a bit long to keep the curves!

Richard
r parker

The bike cable is usually a good way, but, it has to be decent, or it is worse.

Alternatively, if it's a new throttle cable, then dribble oil down the centre of it.

The other alternative is to get the spitfire cable.
rachmacb

Check the pedal isn't binding in its mounts inside the footwell.
Some 1500s still have the organ pedal type. Bin this and get a later type, much better.
Check the cable has a clear run through the bulkhead and isn't loose inside its guide peice (and that it has one!) at both ends.
Check the linkage between the cable and the throttle spindles.
Check each butterfly for stiffness.
Avoid sharp bends in the cable, ideally the first 2 inches or so should be almost a straight run to/from both ends where it goes to/from the bulkhead/throttle linkage.
Use teflon cored bike outer cables (a new standard inner is fine).
No oil with teflon cables. It makes the dirt stick and score the lining.

There's a lot to go wrong for such a (should be) simple mechanism, but almost all the 1500s i've seen and heard about have this problem. Mine did too, but checking/doing the above has sorted mine out, been great ever since.
RoadWarrior

Thanks for all the tips chaps.

I'm going to investigate this on Saturday and will report back after checking everything you've said

Cheers
C
C L Carter

Well, I've had a quick look (spent most of the day grinding the bolts off the flexi handbrake support instead - not an easy job when trying not to fly through your brake line!)

I've greased up the cable... which seems in good condition anyway... the pedal moves well in its mounts when disconnected... and although the springs are stiff the throttle moves well when pulled by hand... I might try a new wire next week, Rachmacb... why would the spitfire cable be any better?

C
C L Carter

This thread was discussed between 19/10/2011 and 22/10/2011

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