3.0L idle way too low

[matt167]

I was running my '86 donor boat on muffs today and it runs great except it idles at about 200 rpm out of gear. If I advance the throttle just a little it clears up at about 750 rpm. How is the idle screw supposed to be sitting on the idle cam for initial adjustment? because I'm pretty sure someone was playing mechanic.. This is an '86 Alpha Gen 1 140hp 3.0L. I was running it on a 12 gallon external tank with fresh gas

 

[Bondo]

How is the idle screw supposed to be sitting on the idle cam for initial adjustment?

Ayuh,.... Snuggly enough to idle at 600/ 700 rpms,......

 

[ROY WILLIAMS]

TO adjust the idle .. then inspect the timing ignition ...

 

[matt167]

Ayuh,.... Snuggly enough to idle at 600/ 700 rpms,......

Oh ok. I knew final adjustment was in gear in the water. Didn’t know it was that simple.

 

[matt167]

TO adjust the idle .. then inspect the timing ignition ...

Yeah I know it needs a good tune up. But the engine runs quite and nice. Everything works too

 

[Scott06]

Yeah I know it needs a good tune up. But the engine runs quite and nice. Everything works too

The screw that holds the cam in that the idle speed screw seats against can back out, had it come off on the water on me one time.

 

[matt167]

The screw that holds the cam in that the idle speed screw seats against can back out, had it come off on the water on me one time.

Interesting. The cam itself looks right. Nothings loose

 

[Scott06]

Interesting. The cam itself looks right. Nothings loose

If the cam isn’t flopping around you r good

The screw is a flat head with about a 1/4” dia head not sure how mine loosened up by basically wouldn’t idle until it was tightened back up