idle speed

[QWXZAS12345]

hello everyone,<br /><br />i rebuilt the carbs on my 1971 mercury 650 w/ thunderbolt ignition... i have the idle speed screws on the carbs adjusted to where the engine is firing good and the boat runs good....but the idle speed is way too high.... it says in the book at this point to adjust the idle stop screw to the recommended rpms... when i tried to adjust the idle stop screw nothing happens any ideas?<br />thanks,<br /><br />boatyboat

 

[Terry H]

Re: idle speed

if you havn't got the motor sitting in the water you won't be able to get the idle set...in a tank or in the water in gear is how to set idle...just a Thought

 

[Yepblaze]

Re: idle speed

Is the throttle cable too "tight" not allowing the timing to retard properly?

 

[QWXZAS12345]

Re: idle speed

yepblaze, thanks... im pretty sure that is the problem.. because i just recently put this engine on a new boat and was not sure exactly what position the throttle cable should be in... i think i definately have it too tight which would cause the idle to be too high.. and as you pointed out won't allow the idle stop screw to have any effect.... im wondering though how i can tell the right positions on the cables any ideas???<br /><br />thanks,<br />boatyboat