Classic/Antique Car Repair: Motorcraft 2150 two barrel carb, Carb settings

Question
Just got a quick question for you. I just bought a 1978 Ford F150. It has a 351M with a two barrel motorcraft 2150 carb. I just rebuilt the carb and wanted to make sure what hole the accelerator pump rod was supposed to go in on the over-travel lever. (the pump rod was unhooked from the carb when I bought the truck) Oh, is the factory setting on the idle adjusting needles, 1 1/2 turns out? Thanks a lot!

Answer
If the pump actuating lever has 3 holes, use the center one.  If it has only two, use the one closest to the pivot point (furthest from the pump rod).  If you get a flat spot on initial acceleration in cold weather, after the choke has gone off, you can move it one hole toward the pump rod to increase the stroke of the pump slightly.

The initial idle screw setting is not very critical on these, because there are limiting stops to prevent getting too far away from optimum (EPA regs).   Yes, set it at 1 1/2 turns out, and then when the engine is warm and idling slowly, fine tune each screw while watching the intake manifold vacuum - tune for maximum vacuum you can achieve with a smooth idle.  If everything is in good shape, both screws will wind up at the same number of turns out.  If you are close to sea level, a good shape engine with no vacuum leaks will produce between 20 and 21" Hg reading on the vacuum meter.  If you are at higher altitude, you will see lower numbers - for instance at 2000 feet, the best you will see is between 18 and 19.  (Less air to compress!)

Dick