New Empi carb and high rpm

[80spiddy]

I installed a new Empi carb on an 1800 intake and I can't get it below 2000 rpm. I tried backing down the idle screw with no change. It idles and sounds smooth compared to the original emissions setup from 1980 though. Any ideas?

[baltobernie]

An idle that high might be due to a vacuum leak. Did you try the carb cleaner spray trick?

[80spiddy]

No, but I did think of that.

[So Cal Mark]

is the choke open fully? Is the fast idle cam coming off once the choke opens? Disconnect the linkage and see if that makes a difference

[80spiddy]

Yes, the choke opened (electric) and came off the fast idle cam.

[So Cal Mark]

If you're sure the primary throttle is completely closed, check the secondary throttle plate set screw. It may be misadjusted and keeping the secondary open slightly

[baltobernie]

Does the Empi have a port for vacuum advance? If so, you could attach a gauge to ensure it reads "zero" under idle, verifying that only the idle circuit is active.

[80spiddy]

I'll check both of those ideas. It does have a port for the dist vac and it's hooked up.

[80spiddy]

Thanks for your help all. I got it. It was my linkage. It was adjusted too long when I first went to install. I shortened all the way on the threads and it was still too long, so I took the two nuts off and it fit good with no tension when slipped on the ball of brackets. After starting the car for first time with new carb, something must've changed. I pulled the linkage off and the carb linkage snapped back about 3/16" telling me I was holding the accelerator open and causing the 2000 rpm at idle. I have another carb question I will ask in a new post.

[baltobernie]

Glad you got it sorted (at least so far). The vacuum advance tip is out of the Weber book, and I've found it very helpful. Sometimes the amount of "outside air" entering the carb is almost impossible to locate, but the vacuum gauge does not lie; if it's not zero at idle, you've got activity elsewhere.