where is it suppose to idle?

[wag]

on a 1974 911s 2.7 liter where is it suppose to idle?

right after a cold start, where should it idle? if i push the idle lever all the way down, it's just below 1k, where should i set the throttle lever?

after it is warmed up, for street driving, what rpm should it idle?

here's what i have been doing...
after i get her started (from cold) i usually push the gas pedel so it goes up from below 1k to around 1200, then pull up the throttle lever so it will stay at 1200.

after it warms up, while driving, i usually just push the throttle lever all the way down, so it idles at just below 1k.

sorry to ask such a n00bie question, but after seeing some posts on the same car and complaining that someties it idles high, i'm beginning to wonder if there is an "idle regulator" or something, perhaps mine is broken.
thanks in advance

ps. learing gimp, so pic is coming up

[bigchillcar]

You're in luck...I'm the Supreme Master of the '74!

The manual spells it out, but this is it: The hand throttle should be all the way up for ANY start...cold or warm. The hand throttle is unique to the '74, being replaced by the aux. air valve in later models (vacuum powered). It is not a choke - it is literally a linkage point to your actual throttle cable...the one that runs to the acc. pedal.

I usually depress the pedal one time in the morning, just to free up any binding in the throttle cable (you never know with old cars), pull up the handle and start. As the car warms, you gradually reduce the lever until warm enough that its no longer needed (usually 10-15 minutes). The idle should be set by adjustment of the idle air-bypass screw when the car is at exactly 180 degrees. That's just how the system was designed. At this point, turn the screw in whatever direction yields ~950 (1000) rpm's. As the temp. rises above 180, so the idle speed may rise some, but if its 1000 at 180, you're right where you should be.

I personally prefer the hand throttle because I can select the idle I want for the conditions. For example, many of the original alternators can't handle the amperage load all at once of say, lights, a/c, stereo, etc. At a stoplight in this condition while cold, sometimes my radio will quit or cut in and out. Pull up on the hand throttle and the output jumps up, radio back on! Good luck!
Ryan

[wag]

Originally posted by bigchillcar

I usually depress the pedal one time in the morning, just to free up any binding in the throttle cable (you never know with old cars), pull up the handle and start. [/B]

how far up do you pull? if i pull the lever all the way up, it's gonna rev way up when i start the car.

hmm, there has been times when i'm driving on the freeway, and used the lever as cruise control :P

[bigchillcar]

You're supposed to pull it all the way up for start. It shouldn't go above 3000-3500 rpm's. If it does its a little out of adjustment. Anyway, its mostly for start, after its running, I agree with you I push the handle down usually to allow the car to idle at ~1500 rpm's and over the course of 10 minutes I begin slowing lowering the throttle handle until its no longer needed and the idle should be around 950-1000.

I've heard of people using it for cruise control, but others feel that its too dangerous. Yours must be set to high or you probably couldn't use it that way!
Ryan