strange throttle response...

[Petros]

On the newly acquired tercel4wd that I just swapped out the trans it has developed this annoying throttle response off of idle. I do not know if it is related, but we did just replace the trans and clutch on it, and the distributor (we reset timing of course). We did not touch the fuel/carb system at all, though of course we have have inadvertently altered something. And it did not behave this way before the trans swap.

It idles really low, barley running, but when I give it a little throttle it way overshoots to about 2500 rpm, stays there for 5 to 7 seconds (even though my foot is off the throttle), and very slowly comes back down to a too low idle where it acts like it wants to stall. I can not seem to get it stay at 900-1000 rpm using the throttle pedal. IT runs and drives fine at higher speeds, and acts totally normal at fwy speeds, it does not seem underpowered or unresponsive except right at idle.

At one of the gas stops last night we even took off the airfilter and looked for any vacuum leaks, disconnected hoses, etc. and could not find any. I will have to take closer look at it better light this week and perhaps use carb spray on it. I am sure I will find the problem but I thought I would check to see if anyone has had this happen before.

I seem to remember someone on the list had a similar problem not too long ago, does anyone remember this? or have any ideas on what I should check first?

[ARCHINSTL]

I had something sorta similar on a different car long ago. It turned out to be a sticky accelerator cable. A lot of lube and the problem disappeared. I'm sure you thought of this, but thought I'd mention it anyway. Maybe also check for the cable binding somewhere.
Tom M.

[Petros]

Now that you mention it, when I was in heavy traffic crawling along (construction on the interstate), I thought the throttle felt a bit sticky since I had to match the speed of the traffic in front of me. That is an easy check.