Asha'man

I bought another truck a couple weeks ago, an '85 xtra cab 2wd pickup. My parents' neighbor put a new head on it last summer but never readjusted the valves, so it idled around 1200rpm and clattered like a popcorn popper. I adjusted the valves and turned the timing down at CoTTORA's S HOW a couple weekends ago, and it sounds a lot better. However, it idles extremely low and runs rough at idle, so I tuned it up just enough by ear so it was slightly better. I still need to dial it in again with a digital timing light.

What do you all have your 22R's set at as far as base timing? The underhood sticker says 700rpm and 0* base, but when we had it set there it wouldn't run worth a damn. I'm thinking closer to 900rpm for idle speed, but don't know where I should set the base timing.

abecedarian

may need to adjust the fuel mix too to get it idling right at 700.

Asha'man

There's no fuel mix screw on an '85 carb. I looked, and the books confirm.

abecedarian

yeah, guess you're right. >grin< you can check the float level though.
you're checking the timing with the dist vacuum lines unplugged and blocked?
shouldn't need an adjustable light to set it to 0.

Asha'man

I didn't have a light of any kind, hence the adjustable. Plus it has a tach and my truck doesn't, so that kinda helps a little when setting the idle speed. In any event, I set it to 0* base with the vac lines off and plugged, and set the idle to 900rpms. Runs a lot smoother now, will see if I get better mileage. If I do, I may take it in for emissions the way it sits and see what happens.