What is the proper idle speed? [Archive] - Chevelle Tech

: What is the proper idle speed?


Grape Ape
Nov 7th, 04, 5:23 PM
I know some people here get irritated by the same questions being asked so I did a search first looking for the answer to my question. I did not find exactly what I was looking for so here goes.

What is the proper idle speed for my chevelle with a 350, with a pretty hefty cam (not sure exactly), and a 750 double pumper?

I would like to know where it sould be in park and where it should be when I put it in gear?

Thanks again for the help.

my442ragtop
Nov 7th, 04, 10:14 PM
800/600 rpm

BillK
Nov 7th, 04, 10:40 PM
grape,
There really is no "proper" idle speed for a modified engine. Every engine is different, and will like a different idle speed. I guess a good rule of thumb is as low an idle speed as you can get and not have it load up or stall out when in gear with an automatic transmission. Most engines should be able to idle in the 600-800 rpm range unless something is really wrong with the "tune up", meaning carb adjustment and ignition curve. Whatever your combination "likes" is correct.

Grape Ape
Nov 7th, 04, 11:00 PM
when you say 600-800 is that when it is in gear or park?
Thanks again.

Gandalf80
Nov 8th, 04, 1:05 PM
Means 800 in park, 600 in gear.

But as BillK said basically the lowest you can go to have it idle well in park and not stall out in gear.

The lower it idles the meaner the exhaust will sound at the lights ;)