"Transformed" is the word that comes to mind when describing how my ES runs with the new throttle position sensor. Several of you awhile back suggested this was the culprit when I described the intermittent stumbling and asked for advice, but for some reason or another it took me until now to actually replace it. Wow.

The specifics are a '73 ES (air & automatic) that I bought from the original owner, who upon handing me the keys told me about this "stumbling" problem the car exhibited every so often. After having it ahwile I replaced all the misecallaneous replaceables (filters, hoses, injectors, ignition components, etc. )and adjusted everything, but nothing made a difference. Then I undertook the performance top-end rebuild, as documented here awhile back. Still no difference, if anything it was worse (which kinda makes sense since the engine now has more power, and thus as a overall percentage loses more power when it stumbles).

I kinda got used to it, then over the Memorial Day weekend I drove ~ 300 hwy. miles and experienced new levels of annoyance. Once home I committed myself to resolving this problem, and hit the bullseye the first shot.

With the local dealers wanting $70 + and having to order it, I found myself once again thankful for Swedish Auto & Collision, who had it on the shleves at $43. Armed with a Phillips screwdriver, a DVM and feeler gauges, it was installed and adjusted in under an hour. (The thing that took the longest was trying to determine which of the four leads you connect to the DVM).

I managed to construct some late night errands requiring that I get on the highway, and Lord a-mercy what a difference ! In every phase of running the car is smoother, and I cannot wait to log enough miles to see if the mileage has improved. Before I felt tired driving the car over long distances as it seemed that an almost constant modulation of the accelerator was necessary to maintain speed. Now it just runs wherever you put it. My only regret is that I wish I had done this earlier ....

All for now ~

Daren