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Engine 85 GT Excessive Idle

  • Thread starter Thread starter lutzkecj
  • Start date Start date Sep 18, 2026
L

lutzkecj

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Sep 18, 2026
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Sep 18, 2026
#1
  • Sep 18, 2026
  • #1
I have been working on an 85 GT that is all stock. It has been sitting for a quite a few years. I thought I was having some issues with the stock Holley carb, even after having it rebuilt, where fuel would be pouring out of the carb bowl vents, as well as a very rough/no idle. The only way it would stay running is if I kept my foot on the throttle hovering in that 1200 RPM range. I decided to just replace the carb and went with a Holley 4160. Got it all installed and got the car running. But now it won't go below 2700 RPMs. I tried adjusting the curb idle speed and it still wouldn't budge. I did not mess with the idle mixture at all.

Has anyone else ran into this issue before?

Could this be a fuel pump issue not a carb issue? Or what else could this be? The shop I had work on the car mentioned they cleaned up some vacuum lines so it shouldn't be that.
 

Noobz347

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor
Admin Dude
Jan 4, 1985
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#2
  • Sep 18, 2026
  • #2
It sounds like you have a vacuum leak.
 
Reactions: DadLife0724

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
Mod Dude
Aug 25, 2016
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polk county florida
Sep 18, 2026
#3
  • Sep 18, 2026
  • #3
Some questions,
What fuel pump?
Where's the timing?
Vacuum advance distributor? And is it hooked to port or manifold vacuum?
N/A or power adder?
 
Reactions: AeroCoupe

Blackhawkxx

Stroke it!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mar 3, 2023
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Sep 19, 2026
#4
  • Sep 19, 2026
  • #4
Are you sure your linkage isn't the problem with the super high idle? Disconnect it and start the car to see.
 
Reactions: AeroCoupe

Noobz347

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor
Admin Dude
Jan 4, 1985
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Box behind Walmart
Sep 19, 2026
#5
  • Sep 19, 2026
  • #5
lutzkecj said:
The shop I had work on the car mentioned they cleaned up some vacuum lines so it shouldn't be that.
Click to expand...

The fact that these were touched heightens my suspicions.
 
Reactions: General karthief, 86HO5.0 and DadLife0724
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86HO5.0

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Apr 18, 2023
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Raleigh, NC
Sep 21, 2026
#6
  • Sep 21, 2026
  • #6
Noobz347 said:
The fact that these were touched heightens my suspicions.
Click to expand...
100%

Always double check what someone else just 'touched'. Too many mechanics nowadays don't know their ass from the Eiffel Tower.
 
Reactions: General karthief and DadLife0724
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