I found another thread that seems to describe my problem (here), but a few of the specifics are off. I just wanted to make sure that the suggestions in the aforementioned thread will still work for my vehicle.

Allow me to elaborate:

I'm not sure if this problem has been a long time comming or not; I have had to adjust the idle speed a few years ago. Regardless, what usually happened up to now is that it would idle slow and rough at 500-600 RPM when it first started up, but would idle more smoothly at approx. 700 RPM (Chilton's manual says it should be 750) after normal driving for a few minutes. I recently took it to a shop to have an issue with the alternator resolved, and they ended up replacing the alternator. After that, the engine would only idle roughly for a minute before quitting. I have backed out the idle speed adjustment screw as far as possible without removing it entirely, but the engine still idles roughly at approx. 500-600 RPM.

I don't think the ignition system is to blame since there is no loss of power at any engine speed above idle. There is no dicernable problem at higher engine speeds.

I hope this is enough information and would greatly appreciate any assistance.
Thanks

 

Valve adjustment lately??

Rough idle can be a sign of tight valves, while still running fairly well at speed.

 

No, I haven't adjusted the valves since I've owned it. Would tight valves also explain the low idle speed? As I said before, I have the idle adjustment screw backed out as far as is possible without removing it and it still isn't at reccomended idle speed.

 

bump

 

Go through everything in the previous post. Any of that could easily be the cause.