Just swapped a newly built Hemi into a friends car. This is a fresh build 472 Hemi with stock (rebuilt) 1969 AFB carbs, and a Pertronix ignition conversion. The carbs both have Idle speed screws, but only the rear one has a choke and idle mixture screws. So far I can get the engine to idle reasonably well at around 1,100 RPM but it's not real stable when in gear (727 Auto). Should I be using the idle speed screws on both carbs or just the rear? Also it likes about 20 degrees of base timing, but at that RPM, I may be getting some centrifical advance already.
So who is good at tuning one of these? I've not set up a set of dual quads before and am looking for some tips and tricks for setting up the base tune.
Thanks for helping a noob!
Scott.
Here's a pic of the just installed engine for your viewing pleasure!

You can, with work on the carbs, make them idle in gear at 650 RPM Do you know the doors above the metering rods and springs? If so loosen them up and slide them over halfway so you can watch the metering rods and pistons, start the car up and watch them, if they stay down at 1100 RPM lower the idle RPM to see if they stay down at the lower RPM If not you need to either replace those springs with weaker ones or trim off one coil at a time on them until the pistons stay down at idle in gear Been there, done that, you can do it also Those pistons act as power valves in a Holley, they need to stay cloesed at a idle in gear EDITED, adding initial timing also helps at idle Just watch your total timing, most pump gas iron headed hemi don't like much more than 36 degrees total timing, especially with todays pump swill

What it sounds like is low timing at idle...What do you have for timing at idle? Does it get to temp real quick? Set total at 35*, and then see what you have at idle. Pick 1000rpm right now. If it gets to temp real quick and has only 9* at idle you will need to change the curve in the distributer. Its real common as most of them have too much allowable advance.

I find most Hemi's like at least +15* at idle to have any chance of a good idle. So what I do is shorten up the total advance the distributer allows...Then tune the carbs.

This is easier to do if you "know" the carbs were already sorted out or on an engine and ran real good. If not, get it to idle at 1000rpm and then get your timing set-up and then go back to re-tuning the carbs.

You said fresh motor - if the rings aren't seated yet you may struggle no matter..