hand throttle

[ports]

I know that the hand throttle is used to start your model A. My question is when you move the hand throttle down, should their be any resistance or should you be able to move it freely downward. It feels as though when I move mine down a couple of notches to start, I feel resistance like it is pulling back up. As you know, I am a newbie and trying to learn the starting process. I have been away visiting my daughter and her family and have just returned home. I am trying to get caught up on yard work and stuff and hope to get to the new model A tomorrow or shortly after. I'm sure I will be asking more questions as I tinker with my new car. Thanks for all the help. Ports

 

[Ivan in southeast va.]

Mine is a little stiff but it doesn't feel like it's trying to move back up.

 

[J Franklin]

It is working against a spring, maybe that is what you are noticing.

 

[old ugly]

the hand throttle is directly pushing on the foot throttle mechanism, (through a bunch of monkey motion) when you pull down on the hand throttle you will see you foot pedal move. it is the throttle spring that you are working against. at least that is what it should be.
take a look under the hood to make sure the mechanism is not binding with the firewall and that it is moving freely under there.
if there is so much spring/pressure that it will not stay in the selector notches then you have an issue.

 

[Bill G]

It's not just used for starting the car, it is also pretty much a cruise control of the time. Remember the Model A was the next generation after the Model T and on the T, there was no gas pedal. All the speed function was controlled from the steering column throttle. Thank heavens they put a gas pedal in the A.

My throttle lever was pretty sloppy when I first got the car. During the resto process I replaced the lever and the springs that hold it against the quadrant. It is now somewhat stiff and the notches in the quadrant are noticeable. I think you want it to be somewhat stiff so that if you happen to be cruising down the road and want to use it to maintain a constant speed, it will stay put.

 

[nkaminar]

Slipping a length of rubber hose over the throttle arm will help to keep it in place and eliminate any wear on the quadrant. You have to lift up the arm to get the hose in position.