1957 Cold Idle Speed Adj Screw | Ford Thunderbird club group 1955-2005 T-Bird models

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1957 Cold Idle Speed Adj Screw

  • Thread starter Thread starter TbirdFan76
  • Start date Start date
TbirdFan76

TbirdFan76

Bronze Member
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Thunderbird Year
1957
The cold idle adjustment screw for the 312 original 4 barrel Holly carburetor is in a very hard to reach location underneath and behind the thermostat. Looking for advice on how to access this screw to adjust it as described in shop manual. I'm thinking of a using a flexible screwdriver or socket driver but thinking it may not flex enough near the end with the driver to get to this screw. If you've made this adjustment how did you do it?

Below is the figure from the 1957 Ford Car & Thunderbird Shop Manual.

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Below are pictures of my carburetor Holly List 1273-1.
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I have a KD tools flexible hooded screwdriver that I have used for years. It is KD tool number 130. I see them on Ebay from time to time. I am not sure if this is still made. I know that KD was bought by another company and their line of tools is not what is used to be. I find the tool handy for adjusting the screws.
 
I have found it difficult but not impossible to get to it with a regular medium sized screw driver if I open the throttle as needed to move stuff out of the way and to elevate the screw high enough to get to it more or less straight on. I think you also wind up using the screw driver to push up some of the linkage that will be dangling there too. Best to do it when the engine is cold.
 
Why does it need adjusting? We spent a load time and dollars trying to sort our Holley carburettor out, it was ok for a while then get out adjustment, readjust then flooding. This went on and on, It was totally rebuilt by a specialist this lasted about two weeks before it was out of adjustment. On the net I read about the Quick Fuel carburettor Slayer series. I bit the bullet and bought one. A quick bolt on and check all connections, prime and turn the key and an instant difference, once warm a miner idle speed adjustment and we have completely different car. Two years on and still going great. NO adjustments needed and a completely different car. In short bin the Holley! The nay sayers will say they’re the same carbs but from my experience they are not.
 
Lionel said:
Why does it need adjusting? We spent a load time and dollars trying to sort our Holley carburettor out, it was ok for a while then get out adjustment, readjust then flooding. This went on and on, It was totally rebuilt by a specialist this lasted about two weeks before it was out of adjustment. On the net I read about the Quick Fuel carburettor Slayer series. I bit the bullet and bought one. A quick bolt on and check all connections, prime and turn the key and an instant difference, once warm a miner idle speed adjustment and we have completely different car. Two years on and still going great. NO adjustments needed and a completely different car. In short bin the Holley! The nay sayers will say they’re the same carbs but from my experience they are not.
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I have one of the most common replacement old style modern holly's on mine, an 1848 List, 450 cfm. It's probably 20+ years old. I had a local shop rebuild it a couple years ago and it runs wonderfully. Starts immediately from cold or hot, smooth power delivery. As good as any carb I've had. It may be that yours had a crack or some other kind of damage to the casting that made it impossible to restore to proper order. When carbs aren't right they can be a bear to sort out. That one you put on, the Slayer Quick Fuel, is the one I would buy if my current one ever needs replacing. I've seen feedback from others who say it is a great carb on these engines.
 
Lionel said:
Why does it need adjusting? We spent a load time and dollars trying to sort our Holley carburettor out, it was ok for a while then get out adjustment, readjust then flooding. This went on and on, It was totally rebuilt by a specialist this lasted about two weeks before it was out of adjustment. On the net I read about the Quick Fuel carburettor Slayer series. I bit the bullet and bought one. A quick bolt on and check all connections, prime and turn the key and an instant difference, once warm a miner idle speed adjustment and we have completely different car. Two years on and still going great. NO adjustments needed and a completely different car. In short bin the Holley! The nay sayers will say they’re the same carbs but from my experience they are not.
Click to expand...
hello i have heard about the slayer carb products. what model did you get for 57? thx
 
Lionel said:
Why does it need adjusting? We spent a load time and dollars trying to sort our Holley carburettor out, it was ok for a while then get out adjustment, readjust then flooding. This went on and on, It was totally rebuilt by a specialist this lasted about two weeks before it was out of adjustment. On the net I read about the Quick Fuel carburettor Slayer series. I bit the bullet and bought one. A quick bolt on and check all connections, prime and turn the key and an instant difference, once warm a miner idle speed adjustment and we have completely different car. Two years on and still going great. NO adjustments needed and a completely different car. In short bin the Holley! The nay sayers will say they’re the same carbs but from my experience they are not.
Click to expand...
I rebuilt my Holly List 1273-1 so after reinstalling it needs basic adjustment as outlined in the 1957 Ford Car & Thunderbird Shop Manual. Then the fuel pump went and I rebuilt it as well. Now trying to fine tune the carb with the rebuilt fuel pump. I want to keep the car original to is build so I'm going to leave the Holly for now.

Biggest issue is not wanting to start after a highway drive and then sitting for 15 to 20 minutes. I know that has nothing to do with the cold idle setting but for these reasons I'm tuning the carb to 1957 Ford Car & Thunderbird Shop Manual specs.

I may take your advice if I'm not successful and keep the original Holly as original part for historical purposes.

This car is a survivor with only light modifications to the interior.
 
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