Ok, when I go out to start it in the cold I pump it once then crank it and it turns right over and runs at 1200rpm (right were I want it) then I go inside to finish getting ready for school, come outside and my cars idleing at 1800-2000rpm now. I do have the 12v hooked up cause when I touch the gas it disengages the choke and the car idles fine and I also put a test light to it. Now why would it raise the idle over time? Is there something out of whack or what? thanks guys

 

That's pretty much what it's supposed to do.

When the engine starts up, it's stone cold; as it warms up over the first couple of minutes, it smooths out and runs better and better as everything warms up, but there's no mechanism to regulate the idle speed like there is on FI setups, so it just idles up gradually. Then when the choke stat is satisfied by the electric heater, the idle goes back to normal.

There's nothing wrong with your car, as long as the choke comes completely off within a few minutes.

 

well I usually hit the gas when it gets that high so the choke goes off. cause at 2k rpm it stinks. So what you are saying is it will work itself back down from 2k to 1200?

 

The choke also operates a fast idle cam, a purely mechanical mechanism. When you tap the throttle before starting the engine, the choke butterfly closes and the fast idle cam moves up, holding the throttle blades open slightly more. This is there because as RB was saying, the engine isn't running as efficiently when cold. The idea is that as the choke butterfly opens as the engine warms up, the fast idle cam will drop down gradually - if the throttle is being opened as you drive the car. But, with what you're doing, letting the car idle and warm up, the throttle isn't being moved, so the fast idle cam is "trapped" by the throttle return spring force until you tap the throttle again, allowing the fast idle cam to drop down.

The fast idle speed is typically adjusted when the engine is warm by opening the throttle slightly, pushing the fast idle cam up with your finger and letting the throttle come back on it, and adjusting that screw so you get a warm idle speed of about 2000. That will give you an acceptable idle speed the next time you start the car when cold. Then you blip the throttle, dropping the cam, and adjust the "normal" idle with the "normal" idle screw at whatever your warm idle should be (mine's at 500 in D for the Camaro, 650 for the '57; yours will depend upon your cam, ignition tuning, etc., to produce whatever idle is acceptable for your combo and driving).