I have a low mileage '74 Duster with 198/auto combo all stock.....I had the chance to put a few miles on it over the last few days and I find that the gas pedal is really hard to press almost to the point that it is uncomfortable. I did a search and found a thread discussing the '74 carbs and the redundant throttle return spring......Is this why the pedal feels so stiff ? and how can I remedy it.... thank you very much!

It shouldn't be that difficult to operate the gas pedal. I would remove things one at a time from the system and see what is making it so stiff. (1) remove throttle return springs, (2) disconnect cable from carb. If the pedal is still stiff after removing it from the carb then you ned to lube the cable.

_________________
Casually looking for a Clifford hyperpak intake for cheap.

No, the redundant throttle spring isn't the reason why the pedal is hard to press. Probably someone put the wrong (too stiff) secondary/external throttle return spring on the car. That's the one that stretches from the choke thermostat hold-down bolt to the throttle lever. Replace it with a lighter tension spring and you should be fine. But also check for a kinked, rusted, or otherwise faulty throttle cable or a hacked throttle linkage. Note the cable is meant to operate dry (no oil, no grease). You can shoot some silicone spray lube on it, but if that frees things up, it indicates you need to replace the cable in a hurry before it binds up in both directions (throttle is hard to close, too).

_________________
一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

That was it guys, the external throttle return spring........I took it off to test drive it and it is a world of difference. I will look for a lighter spring. It surely doesn't "look" like it is the culprit but it is. When I removed it I found it to be pretty hard to stretch and that was what I was feeling at my foot. I believe it to be the original spring as the car has 17,000 miles. There must have been many complaints reference the pedal feel when these cars were new. It was not pleasant to drive. Thanks again for your answers/advice.

Maybe not the original, if it was that stiff. Okeh, only 17,000 miles, but also 43 years. Stiff accelerator was not a widespread complaint when the cars were new, and there was no TSB or other "Oops, we goofed" type of situation.

On the other hand, maybe it is the original; Chrysler's quality control was stopping up the toilet and stinking up the place in '74, and the same goes for many of their suppliers. So it's entirely possible the wrong spring was installed.

_________________
一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

Thanks for replying with the solution!