IDLE PROBLEMS SOLVED.

[Gladiator]

Ever since I put the new engine in last year, I've had a problem with the idle. On cold start it would idle at about 800 RPM instead of 1200, and as it warmed up the idle would increase to about 1200. Then to make it stranger, if I turned on the AC fan the revs would drop instead of increasing. So for ages now I've had the idle speed screw wound all the way in and the CAS had to be retarded to achieve 10 deg before TDC. On the weekend out of desperation I disconnected the Battery & wiring harnesses from the MAF & ISCV, and gave them a squirt with carby cleaner, let them dry and put back together. That made no difference. Then, this morning I pulled up at a set of lights and noticed it was running rough. The revs had dropped to about 400/500 RPM, so I raced home and wound out the idle speed screw, bridged the TEN & GND & hooked up my timing light Guess what? It was sitting at about 6 deg. So I timed it up to 14 deg before TDC (for that little bit extra that everyone talks about), And now, finally the car is running SWEET AS. I have no idea why this didn't happen straight away after cleaning the connections, but after driving for about 20 klm's.

So there's a tip: Before spending much money or tearing your hair out over idle problems, Clean all your connections.