1987 Mercruiser 4.3L 205 262ci idle RPM?

[solar7647]

Ok getting boat ready for the season and i am finding conflicting data on proper idle RPM. The engine is a 1987 Mercruiser 4.3L 205 262ci. The original Quad-jet carb was replaced with a Edelbrock 1409 600cfm marine carb and has run great for 5 or 6 years. This year i had to replace the carb with a new 1409 due to damage to the old carb. I need to tune everything in with the new carb but I am having issues finding proper idle RPM, one spec sheet says 650-700 rpm in neutral, the other says 650-700 rpm in forward gear. So my question is what is the proper idle RPM in neutral?

Thanks all

 

[Bondo]

one spec sheet says 650-700 rpm in neutral, the other says 650-700 rpm in forward gear. So my question is what is the proper idle RPM in neutral?

Ayuh,... Mine idles at 650/ 700 rpms in neutral, as well as in gear, in the water,...

 

[solar7647]

There is an inherit drop in idle speed between neutral and underload idle in gear though. The engine will slow underload, thus causing my confusion on seeing the difference in the spec sheets.

Its been so long since I did this last and I could sware there was a break down in the forum on proper way to set idle but my searches have come up with nothing.