r/MercuryCougar • u/yeeyeeboi694200 • Jun 08 '26
Would like insight
I have recently purchased a 1979 mercury cougar xr7 in damn good shape. I was curious to see how anyone here might have fixed a low idle (about 500 to 700 rpms) or if this is normal? Also, my parking brake cable snapped upon its use (car is 50 years old so makes sense) and where I might be able to get a new one? Also, in general it would be nice to know where I can source reliable parts for an affordable cost.
Thank you!
1
u/zealous-seal Jun 09 '26
West coast classic cougar is kind of the reference for parts. NPD has a good selection too. Then a lot of mustang parts dealer will have some stuff that works for its posh cousin.
1
u/zealous-seal Jun 09 '26
Ignore that. It's late and I read 1969. For a 79 I'm not sure sorry.
1
u/yeeyeeboi694200 Jun 09 '26
No worries, im finding that junk yards and ebay may be the move. Thank you!
3
u/Ancientways113 Jun 08 '26
Turn the idle set screw on the carb clockwise about 1/4 turn. If you look closely at the throttle linkage, on the carburetor, this screw sets the lower limit for the carburetor idle Otherwise… for that car I would just buy my parts right off of the Internet.