The Project not idling when cold

[suffolkfox]

Hi all
The Project is back on the road with its virtually brand new 3.5ltr armoured car engine (spotless and shiny inside, fitted with 10.5:1 pistons, 3.9 cam and Cloyes timing gear while on the deck and new ITG air filter). All running smoothly once warm, and suffolkfoxy is busily totting up the miles as fast as she can to get out of the running-in period

BUT

The damn thing will not idle when cold. Revs rise then fall rapidly so that you have to feather the accelerator pedal to keep it alive. After a minute it settles down, although tick-over seems high (just over 1000). I am aware of the idle adjustment but thought I would ask you all in case this is a trait of a specific component dying, before wielding any tools. I have a full set of spares as the engine came with full efi & ancillaries so can do the swapping game if needed.
Thanks
Jerry

>>> Edited by suffolkfox on Tuesday 31st August 13:39

[suffolkfox]

Right, quick thanks to everyone. No gap at the throttle plate and the idle had been wound to the sky but it turned out this had been done by the previous owner to try and overcome a dead coolant temperature sensor. Tested with multimeter as per Haynes manual then swapped with the virtually new one from the spare efi taken off the new engine. Adjusted all elements. Result, starts from cold and settles to idle at 850.

Also fitted thermostatic fan control for twin fans and removed leaking clutch master cylinder, fitted new seals and refitted. Pretty good for the day.

Thanks again
Jerry

>> Edited by suffolkfox on Saturday 4th September 21:31