<html><div><br>Hi Rick,</div><div> Mine is a Mk II, which started out with 8.6 or 8.1 compression (depending on the source of the information, and its head has been off twice, machined flat both times. Compression is probably higher than original, though I do not know what it is. Cylinder pressures were 155 or so last time I checked, several years ago.</div><div> It runs just fine on 87 that, in CT, "may contain up to 10% alcohol", with the advance at 32 degrees at 3000 rpm.</div><div> A happy idle speed is 850-900 rpm, with the fast idle from the "choke" about 800 when the engine is at 20F or so garage temp. That would probably be about 1200 if engine were at operating temp. </div><div> The mixture enrichment is used just for the instant of starting. As soon as engine fires, I back out, close the garage door, get back into the TD and push in the knob. After that, I use the throttle to maintain speed for a minute, then drive off. </div><div>Bob</div><div> </div><div><br>---------- Original Message ----------<br>From: Rick Lindsay <richardolindsay@gmail.com><br>To: "mg-t@autox.team.net" <mg-t@autox.team.net><br>Subject: [Mg-t] XPAG idle speed, timing<br>Date: Wed, 15 Apr 2015 17:10:29 -0500<br><br></p><div> </div><div>Hi Friends,</div><div> </div><div>In 1953 when my TD was built, the average pump petrol in Britain was 72 octane. Today, 93 octane is not uncommon, if unleaded and contaminated by alcohol. So instead of following a 60+ year old workshop manual (even if I could find a recommended idle speed in it), what warm idle do you recommend for a healthy XPAG? How about cold idle speed on the 'choke', which is of course, not a choke in American-speak?</div><div> </div><div>How about static timing? The same manual TDC, with a maximum advance of 32 degrees. What do YOU use?</div><div> </div><div>I'm reminded of the quote, "Practice always works in theory, but theory doesn't always work in practice! " Thanks for your advice.</div><div> </div><div>-rick</div><div> </div><div> </div><div id="composer_signature"> </div></html>