[boybowser]

1957 Chevy 283 4bbl Rochester with powerglide transmission. Book suggests curb idle at 450 in drive which puts me at about 550 to 600 rpm in park. I can achieve these numbers but cold the engine does not just complain it downright bitches. I do recall some of this to be normal but the generator light is on medium to bright red at 500 rpm and really does not dim/go out until close to a 1000 rpm. Everything on this car is either factory original or original replacement, engine and generator (factory power steering generator 1102041) is rebuilt (less than 100 hours). Generator was bench tested and producing 45 amps at 750 rpm. Question are multiple, what is a realistic curb idle for a 220 hp 283 with powerglide at startup in park and is the generator light at 600 abnormal, battery life does not seem to be affected.

 

[acardon]

Sounds like the choke and fast idle cam needs adjusting if it only acts up when cold.

 

[Big Bob]

Is everything else as far as the points gap,dwell,plugs and timing set correctly? is the exhaust manifold valve fully opening? I would bump up the timing from 4 to 8 degrees BTDC with the vacuum advance disconnected and reset the idle. The 400-450 rpm is just to set the idle adjustment as per the manual with the eng. all warmed up in drive. Connect a vacuum gage and set the mixture screws to the highest reading @ idle and then reset the idle and bump it up a little higher to around 550 instead of 400 or so which is way too low and making the gen. light come on.Also make sure the choke is fully open after the eng. is warmed up. You get it all balanced out after tinkering around with these settings a bit. :anim_25: :bowtieb: Bob