Idle Speed

[Brian77]

Both of my engines (Merc 260's) idle at about 900 RPM and recently a friend with much more boating experience than I said that the idle is set too high. What rpm should they idle at? How do I adjust the idle on a quadrajet?

Thanks,

Brian

 

[Spookeay]

Both of my engines (Merc 260's) idle at about 900 RPM and recently a friend with much more boating experience than I said that the idle is set too high. What rpm should they idle at? How do I adjust the idle on a quadrajet?

Thanks,

Brian

500 no more than 700 depending on many factors. I like mine at 500.
You should have a accelerator stop bolt on the carb. If you turn that nut all the way back and it still has space you may need to back off the cable from the controller at the engine.

 

[Brian77]

Looks like my friend was right...I'll get that lowered tonight.

Thanks for the quick reply!

-Brian

 

[Quint4]

650 rpm in forward gear, in the water.

 

[gg51p]

I am at 670 in gear.

 

[Brian77]

Now I'm a little confused...the idle speed should be set while the motor is in gear? So set the idle while in gear to about 650, and don't worry about where it is at neutral?

-Brian

 

[Quint4]

In gear, while in the water.

 

[Moose]

As stated "In gear", should be 600-650 range. Check your wake and you will be able to determine what is "idle speed, no wake".

 

[Quint4]

Idle speed has nothing to do with "no wake".We are talking about an engine adjustment here.

Move the throttle/gear lever just enough to "clunk" it into gear.......check the RPMs, looking for 650.

 

[CV-23]

I run my 350/Alpha1 at 600-650rpm in gear in the water. The 454/Bravo 1 is 550-600rpms in gear in the water, Mike.

 

[Brian77]

Thanks everyone...I will set it to 650 in gear in the water.

-Brian

 

[wish2fish]

Personally I wouldn't rely on my dash tachometer for this measurement/adjustment.