I'm helping a friend with his boat. We've rebuilt the engine and have it running perfectly...except... it won't idle in gear when warm and in the water. Seems fine on the hose (I know, hose doesn't tell you much). It has a Holley 4160 4bbl on top that has a fresh rebuild. The rebuild did help, but not much. When I get a chance, I'm going to put a vacuum gauge on it to see what it says. The fuel pump is new, the pcv valve checks out, fresh furl doesn't seem to help, timing is at 10deg. I need to reset it to 8 per the manual for 87 octane, but I don't think that would keep it from idling though? Many ford windsor v8's are set at 10 (including my mercruiser 302). The motor was converted to electronic ignition. It runs very well at all throttle positions EXCEPT idle in gear... I suspect it's running a bit rich. What am I missing?
