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.

 

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

 

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

 

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.

 

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.