Hey guys, so because I'm so picky about things and have the desire to make everything right I need help with where to put my idle at. First off I know your not supposed to go off of the factory tach but I don't have any access to a drb3 or any other rpm tool of that kind. When I bought my truck the idle was at the 500 mark in park and about 450 in drive which I didn't bother to change at first because i'm going over things and learning how to do them one at a time. But its gotten colder and at that idle the truck wouldn't start in the cold. Now I know its supposed to be around 750-800rpm in drive with the ac on so I've been messing around with my idle and put it at around 750 in park (from what I believe is inbetween the 1000 mark and the one below it) and this even seems like too high of an idle to me. Would a low stall torque converter also have an effect on how much the truck pulled with the brake on when in drive? Any help would be appreciated guys I just want it to be right and I get really fussy with things i've probably gone outside and adjusted it over 10 times now and watched multiple youtube videos to see what other trucks are at . Also don't be too hard on me its my first cummins and I'm just learning everything haha.

 

a low stall will kill your truck in cold weather at an idle untill the truck is to temperature. i wouldnt do it again if i could. set the idle where you like it. when it is to low the truck will die when you put it in gear.

 

When i bought my truck it was idling at 1100 according to the tach, this was because the previous owner had replaced the throttle cable and messed the idle speed up. Im assuming from what you said in your post that youve changed your idle speed and know where the idle screw is. Its all about what you think sounds right to you, i mean, yes mine at 1100 RPM was a little high but i never stalled the engine while taking off . The way i got my idle right was that i cranked the truck, stand on the drivers side front tire, and move the screw until it sounded right. (You have to use your left hand to push the throttle cable to relieve pressure off the idle screw that you are turning with your right hand) The only other advice i can give you is to make sure that screw is TIGHT when youre done, because it WILL loosen and back out and the engine will go to too low of an idle and stall. Anywhere between about 700 and 850 RPM should be fine though, assuming your tach is correct.

 

Yeah, a low stall convertor will be a PITA with stock idle speed. Mine idles about 100 RPM higher than yours, and it will slowly but steadily accelerate from a stop to ~25 mph without touching the pedal.

I'd say set the idle as low as possible without stalling. When the weather warms up again, you might want to set it back to 450, as long as a mechanical oil pressure gage says you have good pressure.

Unlike turbo2332, I love my convertor - but I don't live where it gets cold...

kevin