timing and idle

This is a little embarrassing, but here goes.

I can't get the idle to settle out. It will idle at 800 at cold start, but after driving just a little ways the idle will jump to 1200rpm. I adjusted the timing yesterday before leaving work. The idle was a little high when I pulled out, but I figured the computer just needed time to get adjusted to the timing adjustment. Well after several miles on this setup the idle is still at 1200. I have completely backed out the idle set screw.

Did I advance too much? The engine seems very happy with the current timing. It does not miss or hesitate when I hit the throttle, and there is plenty of power.

How is the idle supposed to be set? I went through the 6 manuals I have for the Mustang and came up empty. The best I found just said that you can't adjust the idle.

Does it sound like my timing is actually Retarded? Does it sound like I am Retarded?

I really should not have this problem, but I don't get it.

:worship: I appreciate the help.:worship:

HISSIN50 said:

Take a quick look at this . I am pretty sure you have seen that, but I am not sure what else to say. There are two ways to adjust the idle and this is the way I like best.

Good luck bud.

Click to expand...

Let's see...

At $20 a piece for each manual (an average cause the Ford one was 80), I have $120 worth of Mustang manuals. And in the end the answer I needed was on the internet for free. What is this world coming to!

Thank you for the link, that rocks!

I never had to follow any particular procedure in the past. Just turned the screw and off I went.

HISSIN50 said:

Hopefully it helps ya out.

If you happened to work the screw over too much, the TPS reading might have gone south. Though it should self-baseline, I still like the idea of checking it and/or dialing it in - it does help some folks.

Good luck bud.

Click to expand...

Much appreciated.

I'll fix the timing and idle in the morning before work and the TPS this weekend when I can get my meter back.