C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

No Fast Idle Kickdown

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 10, 2012 | 06:53 PM
  #1  
JB46's Avatar
JB46
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: woodinville washington
Default No Fast Idle Kickdown

My 75 will start immeadiately in the morning. I press the accelerator once to reset the choke. Turn the key, and it will start without having to press the gas pedal.

It will go to fast idle which is at 1500RPM. The issue I have is, I can't get it to kickdown by tapping the gas pedal. I can open the hood and manually reset the kickdown cam and get it to it's idle speed of 700RPM.

What do I need to adjust to get this function operating correctly. The Quadrajet has an electric choke, and it runs without any other issue aside from what I have mentioned.

I did search under 'fast idle kickdown' but I'm not seeing this covered. I have ordered a Chevrolet service manual, but would like to address this issue now.

Thanks-Jeff
Reply
Old Mar 10, 2012 | 08:21 PM
  #2  
Steve2147's Avatar
Steve2147
Pro
 
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 581
Likes: 5
From: BC
Default

Is it sitting on the very highest step of the fast idle cam? If so, there are two adjustments you need to check and I can't help you with the specs.

The first thing you want to check is the pull-off. If the engine is warm when you do this you will need to remove the choke stat and apply pressure to hold the tension in the closed position. Now you bottom the arm in the vacuum diaphram. This is best done with a hand operated vacuum pump attached to the hose fitting. Now you measure between the bottom of the choke plate and the air horn. This is where you need the spec. Depending on what type of diaphram is used you adjust it by either turning a screw on the rod, turning the screw on the end of the vacuum pot or bending the linkage. There are a number of variants of the q-jet and I don't know what you have without seeing it.

The next adjustment you need the manual for the choke plate spec and procedure as well. You place the fast idle screw on the fast idle cam, usually on the second step, but could be some other one. This you need to check in the manual. With it on the second step (?) resting against the ledge to the top step you push the choke plate to the closed position and measure the distance between the lower choke plate and air horn. By measuring these distances in the air horn what you do is use a drill bit of the specified spec and adjust so the distance is the drill bit width between the plate and air horn. You adjust this one by bending the rod that goes from the choke plate vertically down into the carb body.

Steve g
Reply
Old Mar 11, 2012 | 10:01 PM
  #3  
Michael MacPherson's Avatar
Michael MacPherson
Heel & Toe
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Selma Alabama
Default

The choke should cose completely when cold and the choke set. after the engine starts the cac diafram should open the choke 1/4 inch. thus allowing the cam to drop to the second setting or lower cold idle setting. Is the choke idle cam loose enough to "free" fall when free as it it supposed to or is it junked up and sticking. And is the Vaccume choke pull off working opening the choke butter fly about 1/4 inch or so, that allows the cam to drop to the second lobe. and as the car warms on up the sspring will open the choke the rest of the way allowing the cam to fall to the neutral or off position. lots of questions. Mike
Reply
Old Mar 12, 2012 | 09:52 AM
  #4  
baja216's Avatar
baja216
Burning Brakes
20 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Active Streak: 60 Days
Liked
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 910
Likes: 20
From: Shorewood IL
Default

I had a similar issue with my '80. I just took some carb cleaner and "worked" the cam a bit to free it up. I've had no issues since.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To No Fast Idle Kickdown





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:47 AM.

story-0
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-1
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-4
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-5
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-7
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE