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Idle adj. During break in

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Old Apr 11, 2020 | 03:13 PM
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From: SUFFIELD CT USA 2023 C8 CORVETTE UN-MODIFIED FINALIST
2023 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Default Idle adj. During break in

Those of you with new crate motors did you have to tweak your idle up or down as the engine broke in ? I thought the engine would loosen up and the idle would increase gradually requiring turning it down. The opposite seems to be happening . I had to tweak it up twice to maintain 900 RPM. Does the rings seating and compression increasing cause that ? I only have 200 miles on the '77 with a new 383 stroker.
And yes, if you are wondering if I am OCD at least when it comes to the Vette!

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Old Apr 11, 2020 | 05:23 PM
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Do you have a vacuum leak, floats adjusted properly?
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Old Apr 11, 2020 | 06:26 PM
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Did you adjust the mixture screws?
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Old Apr 11, 2020 | 06:44 PM
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Originally Posted by BPHORSEGUY
Those of you with new crate motors did you have to tweak your idle up or down as the engine broke in ? I thought the engine would loosen up and the idle would increase gradually requiring turning it down. The opposite seems to be happening . I had to tweak it up twice to maintain 900 RPM. Does the rings seating and compression increasing cause that ? I only have 200 miles on the '77 with a new 383 stroker.
And yes, if you are wondering if I am OCD at least when it comes to the Vette!
Nah ... not beginning to seize up is it ? Water Temp & OP?
Curious, whose crate is it ?
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Old Apr 11, 2020 | 07:14 PM
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From: SUFFIELD CT USA 2023 C8 CORVETTE UN-MODIFIED FINALIST
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I have checked for vacuum leaks. I will recheck floats but they were fine. The water temp is 170-175 and oil pressure varies between 30-55 lbs from idle to 4000 RPM. I have only needed to adjust the idle screw maybe 1/8 turn.
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Old Apr 11, 2020 | 07:26 PM
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Originally Posted by MelWff
Did you adjust the mixture screws?
I have been playing with the mixture screws. The 2 in front were open about 1 turn and the 2 at the back only about 7/8, I marked the original positions when it came back from the shop. The carb is a Quick Fuel Predator 650 and according to the supplied instructions the mixture screws should start at about 1 1/4 turns or 1 1/2 if that doesn't work. So it is setup leaner from the shop then what I would expect from the directions.
Except for chasing the idle a little bit the car starts great hot or cold and runs very strong!

Last edited by BPHORSEGUY; Apr 11, 2020 at 07:31 PM.
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Old Apr 11, 2020 | 07:37 PM
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Almost forgot it is an ATK 383 stroker from Summit!
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Old Apr 12, 2020 | 01:41 PM
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Originally Posted by cuisinartvette
Do you have a vacuum leak, floats adjusted properly?
OK...I rechecked the float levels and found both near the bottom of the windows when they should be 1/2 way up on the arrows of course! They were fine 10 days ago, Just things bedding in? Any way it seemed to idle stronger and I will report back after a test drive. It is Easter and all!
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Old Apr 12, 2020 | 02:10 PM
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Originally Posted by BPHORSEGUY
I have been playing with the mixture screws. The 2 in front were open about 1 turn and the 2 at the back only about 7/8, I marked the original positions when it came back from the shop. The carb is a Quick Fuel Predator 650 and according to the supplied instructions the mixture screws should start at about 1 1/4 turns or 1 1/2 if that doesn't work. So it is setup leaner from the shop then what I would expect from the directions.
Except for chasing the idle a little bit the car starts great hot or cold and runs very strong!
So you didnt try adjusting any of the mixture screws either richer or leaner to see if it effects the idle?
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Old Apr 12, 2020 | 04:05 PM
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From: SUFFIELD CT USA 2023 C8 CORVETTE UN-MODIFIED FINALIST
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Originally Posted by MelWff
So you didnt try adjusting any of the mixture screws either richer or leaner to see if it effects the idle?
I have adjusted the mixture screws several times that was the point of marking the original settings. If I screwed things up I could at least go back to the exact original settings. I found the fuel levels at the bottom of the windows, they were fine a week ago? I played with the mixture screws some more after that, adjusting for highest idle. I just came back from a thirty mile loop and the idle is still where it was when I left. I am still at the adjusting stage as things break in I guess?

Last edited by BPHORSEGUY; Apr 12, 2020 at 04:06 PM.
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