Need help with idle

oldman · 05-29-2001, 12:23 AM

I just finished our 306 and have a question about an idle problem I'm having. Keep in mind I only ran the engine this afternoon for about 20 seconds cause there's some other "thangs" I want to do before I try to line everything out tomorrow. THis may be self correcting but here goes. THe engine has a F303 cam in it and I expected a rough idle but the thing wouldn't idle at all without some foot pressure on the gas pedal. Actually I ran it several times for about 20-30 seconds each time so the timing isn't set spot-on but is there any tricks I might need to know now that will help? It smooths right out with a little pedal pressure but I'd hate to think this will be a reqirement for normal driving. On my youngest son's 82 ( cleveland powered), I drilled the throttle plates to help with the idle and this works wonders for that engine. Any ideas??

jimberg · 05-29-2001, 12:49 AM

What year car is it? Is it an EFI or carb?

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351W 89 Mustang GT Convertible

oldman · 05-29-2001, 01:09 AM

I guess that would help. It's an 89 with All the stock injection hardware.

COME CORRECT · 05-29-2001, 01:32 AM

Remember how to set base idle. let it warm up first and then adjust. i had the same issue with the F303. Its a good cam.

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PALADIN
"COME CORRECT"

91evilstang · 05-29-2001, 02:32 AM

some times my car wont idle without foot pressure when its cold(like from 60*and lower)but once i get the needle to crack off cold its fine.And i love my f cam.

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91GT Flowmaster 2 chambers,off road H pipe,mac equalength headers,F303 cam,high lift valve springs ,svo 1.6 roller rockers,14*timing,410's,BBK cold air kit,hurst shifter, Pullys,World class T5 MSD 6al box. Ran 13.5@101 with stock headers and air box.

jimberg · 05-29-2001, 07:46 AM

The cam may need the idle screw to be turned in a little, but I'd first check to make sure that the idle air bypass valve is working properly. If you have a code reader, you may want to try the engine running test. Part of it is idle control. You may have to nurse it to get that far, though.

------------------
351W 89 Mustang GT Convertible

SmokeyDP · 05-29-2001, 08:41 AM

Is there a screw to adjust Idle? The previous owner had my car idle high because of charging problems, but I have a 130 Amp alternator.

------------------
1992 GT 5.0L Convertible
BBK Shorties, Flowmasters, Super Chip, Mass Air, Under Drive Pullies, Hurst Shifter, Duck Tape
AIM: SmokeyDP

jimberg · 05-29-2001, 09:29 AM

Yes, look at the throttle lever on the throttle body. You can't miss it. Use the feeler gauge method to set your idle.

Search with key words of "feeler gauge idle" and you should be able to find a reference to how to do it.

------------------
351W 89 Mustang GT Convertible

oldman · 05-30-2001, 12:50 AM

THanks guys. I had the boy hold his big feets on the gas until it warmed up and set the timing to 10 deg. advanced and found the idle screw behind the TB. It still idles like a can full of rocks but at least it will hold 800 rpm well. Haven't had it much past 3500 rpm but I can tell it lost some bottom end. It does make up for it around 2500 and I noticed the tires letting go right at 3300-3500. I figured it would but can't wait to see how it does right before it bounces off the rev limiter.

05-29-2001, 12:23 AM	#1
oldman Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Amarillo, Texas, 79107 Posts: 78	Need help with idle I just finished our 306 and have a question about an idle problem I'm having. Keep in mind I only ran the engine this afternoon for about 20 seconds cause there's some other "thangs" I want to do before I try to line everything out tomorrow. THis may be self correcting but here goes. THe engine has a F303 cam in it and I expected a rough idle but the thing wouldn't idle at all without some foot pressure on the gas pedal. Actually I ran it several times for about 20-30 seconds each time so the timing isn't set spot-on but is there any tricks I might need to know now that will help? It smooths right out with a little pedal pressure but I'd hate to think this will be a reqirement for normal driving. On my youngest son's 82 ( cleveland powered), I drilled the throttle plates to help with the idle and this works wonders for that engine. Any ideas??

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05-29-2001, 12:49 AM	#2
jimberg Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Rogers, MN Posts: 2,089	What year car is it? Is it an EFI or carb? ------------------ 351W 89 Mustang GT Convertible

05-29-2001, 01:09 AM	#3
oldman Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Amarillo, Texas, 79107 Posts: 78	I guess that would help. It's an 89 with All the stock injection hardware.

05-29-2001, 01:32 AM	#4
COME CORRECT Registered Member Join Date: Jul 1999 Location: Headed EAST in 5 days Posts: 252	Remember how to set base idle. let it warm up first and then adjust. i had the same issue with the F303. Its a good cam. ------------------ PALADIN "COME CORRECT"

05-29-2001, 02:32 AM	#5
91evilstang Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: lafayette IN USA Posts: 48	some times my car wont idle without foot pressure when its cold(like from 60and lower)but once i get the needle to crack off cold its fine.And i love my f cam. ------------------ 91GT Flowmaster 2 chambers,off road H pipe,mac equalength headers,F303 cam,high lift valve springs ,svo 1.6 roller rockers,14timing,410's,BBK cold air kit,hurst shifter, Pullys,World class T5 MSD 6al box. Ran 13.5@101 with stock headers and air box.

05-29-2001, 07:46 AM	#6
jimberg Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Rogers, MN Posts: 2,089	The cam may need the idle screw to be turned in a little, but I'd first check to make sure that the idle air bypass valve is working properly. If you have a code reader, you may want to try the engine running test. Part of it is idle control. You may have to nurse it to get that far, though. ------------------ 351W 89 Mustang GT Convertible

05-29-2001, 08:41 AM	#7
SmokeyDP Registered Member Join Date: Jun 1999 Location: Middlesex, NJ Posts: 212	Is there a screw to adjust Idle? The previous owner had my car idle high because of charging problems, but I have a 130 Amp alternator. ------------------ 1992 GT 5.0L Convertible BBK Shorties, Flowmasters, Super Chip, Mass Air, Under Drive Pullies, Hurst Shifter, Duck Tape AIM: SmokeyDP

05-29-2001, 09:29 AM	#8
jimberg Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Rogers, MN Posts: 2,089	Yes, look at the throttle lever on the throttle body. You can't miss it. Use the feeler gauge method to set your idle. Search with key words of "feeler gauge idle" and you should be able to find a reference to how to do it. ------------------ 351W 89 Mustang GT Convertible

05-30-2001, 12:50 AM	#9
oldman Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Amarillo, Texas, 79107 Posts: 78	THanks guys. I had the boy hold his big feets on the gas until it warmed up and set the timing to 10 deg. advanced and found the idle screw behind the TB. It still idles like a can full of rocks but at least it will hold 800 rpm well. Haven't had it much past 3500 rpm but I can tell it lost some bottom end. It does make up for it around 2500 and I noticed the tires letting go right at 3300-3500. I figured it would but can't wait to see how it does right before it bounces off the rev limiter.