Frozen throttle cable

[Bitsyncmaster]

But the metal housing inside the black cover will rust.

[micmak]

The DMC NOS throttle recall kit specifically states to use coolant to winterize the cable. I use an oil squirt can with a piece of clear 1/4" tubing to flush the cable housing with coolant. It is easier and less messy than compressed air even if you have the compressor. The original cable core and any proper replacement should be stainless and is unaffected by coolant even after 34 years. The directions for installing the throttle shield kit are in the safety recall campaign section of the factory bulletins.
Rob

Ah yes. Thanks Rob. It never occurred to me that the inner cable was stainless!
I was just outside taking a look at the cable to figure out how to “inject” some coolant into it. There was the remains of a cone-shaped cap at the end of the cable housing and the inner cable came through it. But it was almost disintegrated and broke apart when I touched it. I have fashioned a replacement out of stuff I had lying around, so that should help to prevent this problem returning. I was also thinking of a squirt gun or a spray bottle of some sort instead of a compressor. I would think using a compressor will make a hell of a mess. It will work but do I really need to go to that extreme? It’s a bit like killing a fly with a sledgehammer! Either way, if I have time, I will do this little job one night this week. If not, then Saturday.

Thanks Guys for all the suggestions and ideas.

……Mike……

[Rich]

I was just outside taking a look at the cable to figure out how to “inject” some coolant into it. There was the remains of a cone-shaped cap at the end of the cable housing and the inner cable came through it. But it was almost disintegrated and broke apart when I touched it. I have fashioned a replacement out of stuff I had lying around, so that should help to prevent this problem returning. I was also thinking of a squirt gun or a spray bottle of some sort instead of a compressor. I would think using a compressor will make a hell of a mess. It will work but do I really need to go to that extreme?

The cone-shaped cap was probably P/N 111183, Seal, part of the Safety Campaign kit for SC-01-1/82, RA-0002. DMC sells the seal alone or the recall kit (seal included).

Here's the partial factory recall text along the lines Rob mentions with respect to coolant concentration and how to inject it. The complete instructions also mention the spring and clip mods for the throttle spool.
Here is where to find the link to a nice zipped file (thanks, Jon!) of all the docs like RA-0002 inclusive: http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?6508

2. Remove the air cleaner assembly and disconnect the throttle cable
from the threaded adjuster. At the accelerator pedal, pull the
cable through the cable housing leaving one inch of cable extending
from the housing in the engine compartment.
3. Route the throttle cable and housing assembly over its mounting
bracket. ............Adjust the
cable assembly length at the bulkhead grommet if necessary......
4. Protect the carpet under the pedal box assembly with shop towels.
5. Fit a suitable length of rubber hose onto the cable housing with
the other end fitted to a pump type oil can filled with a 55/45
mixture (ethylene-glycol/water) anti-freeze solution. Ensure
a tight fit at both ends of the rubber hose.
6. Pump the anti-freeze solution through the cable housing until it
exits at the accelerator pedal connection in a steady flow.
7. Pack the throttle cable threaded adjuster with Dow Corning Molykote
#33 (medium weight) and reinstall the cable housing into its
threaded adjuster (Figure 2).
8. Attach the cable plate and clip assembly (plate P/N 109267 &
clip P/N SP10881).......
9. Install the supplied seal (P/N 111183) on the throttle adjuster
as shown in Figure 2.
NOTE: Warming the seal may make fitting it to the threaded adjuster
easier.

[Dangermouse]