Will a badly adjust clutch cable rev the motor high?

[2tonerebel]

Just put my motor back in after installing a new throwout bearing and cross shaft.

My motor is idling high - wondering if I tighten the clutch cable will that fix it?

I am just stuck at work and it's all I can think about so I wanted to ask here in the case some can relief my stress.

Thank you!

[KTPhil]

Clutch cable will not affect idle speed.
Accel pedal cable adjusted too tight?
Idle screw adjusted correctly?
Choke adjusted correctly?
Any vacuum leaks?
Ignition timing correct?
_________________
Current Fleet:
- '71 Fastback
- '69 Westfalia
Retired:
- '67 Beetle
- '65 Beetle (x2)
- '65 Bus
- '71 Squareback

[zerotofifty]

sounds like you done work on the Bug, and immediately after that work the idle went from normal to high, correct?
If correct, then likely the work has something to do with the problem. You removed and installed the motor, correct?



Engine removal involves removal of throttle cable, is that cable no longer adjusted correctly? is the cable fouled back under the car, in front of the fan house?


Was the carb removed, if so, perhaps there is now a vacuum leak at the base of carb to manifold connections, make sure there is no intake leak there. make sure the vacuum advance hose is connected to distributor


was the distributor removed, if so is the timing correct, small changes in time can give big changes in idle speed, make sure timing is set right.


Clutch adjustment should not effect idle speed when tranny is in neutral. if clutch is dragging (i.e. not fully releasing) when in gear, with car stopped and brake applied, AND transmission is in a gear, then idle speed will be low, or the engine may even stall. but in neutral, clutch will make no differance (other than some very very very minor drag caused by the tranny input shaft turning)

[ashman40]

You mentioned replacing ONLY the TO bearing and the cross shaft. Were they bad/broken?

I ask because an incorrectly adjusted clutch cable could result in the TO bearing being in CONSTANT contact with the pressure plate. Not only would this result in premature wear of the TO bearing, but as the bearing wears it could create more friction and possibly slowing the rotation of the motor (slightly) since it is in constant contact. Replace the TO bearing with a new one AND properly adjust the clutch cable so the bearing is no longer in constant contact and the engine now has less resistance and idles higher. If your idle was previously adjusted to compensate for the previous TO bearing resistance... I could see how it would idle higher now than before.
The above is somewhat theoretical as the TO bearing should only add a minute amount of resistance.


The first place I would look is to the throttle cable linkage at the carb. Remove the throttle cable where it connects to the carb. Does this change the engine idle? If so, you have the cable adjusted incorrectly. The throttle cable should not be holding the throttle plate open at idle.
You didn't ID the carb(s) you have installed. Typically, you adjust the carb to WOT (wide open throttle) when the accelerator pedal is to the floor. This way you don't stress the throttle linkage by trying to open the throttle beyond WOT. There should be enough throttle pedal range of movement to allow the carb to drop back to where the throttle plate is fully closed when the pedal is released. Check for this.
Also check that the throttle return spring is strong enough to fully close the throttle plate with the accelerator pedal+cable connected. If the cable+pedal is creating too much resistance you need to look at lubing the cable and the pedal assembly so it moves smooth and easy.
_________________
AshMan40
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'67 Beetle #1 {project car that never made it to the road }
'75 Beetle 1200LS (RHD Japan model) {junked due to frame rot}
'67 Beetle #2 {2019 project car - Wish me luck!}

[JayWat]

I put a motor in recently and the throttle cable was twisted around the clutch cable. When pushing in clutch it would pull on the throttle cable.