Idle Speed - Vroom or Doom

[Pegasys]

Ok, here's a good question, I think....

What should a warm idle speed be for a '73 automatic? Mine idles at only 600 or 700 after it's warmed up. It seems like maybe it should be set to idle higher?

The good news is, at 82 mph it's only at 3200 rpm.

Ideas? Comments??

Thx...Mike

 

[wolf_walker]

Used to be a sticker underhood that would tell you the idle speed, it may no longer be there though. 700rpm isnt bad, long as it's smooth I wouldnt worry about it, if it's fouling plugs or stumbeling off idle there are other problems.

 

[Bob Chadwick]

Mine was just tuned up and at idles at 650 in gear.

Bob

 

[page62]

Good question. My L82 was idling real low, so I turned it up to the rated idle speed (in Drive). But then the speed in Park was around 1500!

After getting a new carb, I let my Vette techs set the idle. They put it at 800 in Park, which translates to 550-600 in idle. Fairly lumpy (but no hesitation). They swear up and down that anything higher is hard on the brakes. So I live with it.

By the way, at 3200 rpm I only go 70 mph. But gas is much cheaper down here...

 

[Bob Chadwick]

My 77 has a cold idle of 1500 - 1700 in park but once the choke heats up it's 750 in park, or 650 in drive all the time.

I need to look into the cold idle. It appears too high to me.

Bob