Very low idle....help!

[gilbrock]

Hey there ya'll.
Here is my problem: My idle is extremely low and feels like it is going to die when I stop at lights and stop signs. I get the "death shake"...you know, when the car starts shaking like it is about to die...

It also struggles to speed up once I start going, and feels very gutless (more so than usual).
I have a FI 1973 1.7 with hydraulic cam and lifters and a stock air filter(I don't know if this matters at all). I thought the oil level might have something to do with it (I am very dumb when it comes to engines), so I put some more oil in and it seemed to get better for awhile. but now it has gone back to idling like crap.
There are no vacuum links (that I can hear), and all of my hoses look pretty good.
What could this be?
I take it in once in awhile to get the idle turned up a bit, but that is more like a quick fix than a solution.
Any suggestions?
Would a K & N filter help a bit? I have no clue.
Thanks in advance for any advice.

Eli

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Step 0) Go to Kjell Nelin's D-jet guide on Tim's 914 Fan page http://www.914fan.net/djet.html . Print it, and read it. Many times. Become familiar with it.

Step 1) Check your ignition system thoroughly. Inspect the parts--plugs, wires, cap, rotor, points, etc. Replace any that don't look good. Verify the dwell and timing.

Step 2) Check your compression--can be combined with Step 1 above.

Step 3) Thoroughly inspect your vacuum lines. Check for cracks or brittleness. Replace any that are cracked or hard.

Step 4) Check your fuel pressure. Should be 28-29 PSI.

Step 5) Start checking the FI parts according to Kjell's article.

--DD

EDIT--oh, well there's always the idle adjustment screw on the throttle body. It should look like a big slot-headed screw. Unscrew it to raise the idle RPM, screw it in to drop the RPM. That probably won't help your sluggish off-ide performance, but it may help keep the car from dying at stoplights.

[This message has been edited by Dave_Darling (edited 05-02-2001).]