DeTomaso Mailing List: July 2001, Message #23

On the road again!

Thanks for the emails from folks giving good advice.
Still need to dial in the choke but thats a small
thing compared to flooding instead of starting!

Funny, out on the first test run, I was riding
the throttle to keep it running with the choke
not kicking in.  Damn, it is warmed up but still
not idling at the old 1100 RPM.  At one red light
I took my foot off just to see what would happen
and the tach needle dropped to the floor but it
kept purring very happily at 500-600 rpm.  I miss
the old angry 1100 RPM idle at stoplights.

No wonder the idle screw was backed way off, the
secondary float valve was not closing, dumping raw
fuel in, keeping the idle rough and high, slowly
fouling plugs and maybe mileage (12-14MPG)  Will
check what I get now with the same calibrated
heavy foot.

Still will install the Pertronix 'stock look'
Flamethrower coil and 351C wire set I just
picked up.  The Motorcraft (original?!?) coil
and wires have got to be tired by now.

-Chris Clark
#5773