85 Grand Marquis won’t start/dies if less than half throttle.

[Arquemann]

Looks like someone has adjusted the spring pot way out of the way, effectively disabling it. Everything else looks correct.

Loosen the screws holding the black pot, turn it clockwise until the arm with the notches contacts the arm that comes from the throttle shaft. Actuating the throttle should engage one of the notches and keep the throttle slightly open.

[Old_Ford_Enthusiast]

I’ll need to move the black round thing the notched cam is mounted to?

[Arquemann]

I’ll need to move the black round thing the notched cam is mounted to?

Yup, loosen the 3 or 4 screw around the puck and the you can rotate it. Play around with it and see how it engages with the cam.

Though having a functioning high idle mechanism won't help your running/starting issue.
I drove a few years without the high idle functioning on mine, its not really a big deal if the CFI is otherwise healthy.

[Old_Ford_Enthusiast]

Will try that next time. As for the main issue, the way the engine is running reminds me of all the times I’ve fought with timing related problems. So maybe Wagonman was onto something with the timing chain.

although, my daily driver is trying to kick the bucket so getting that fixed is now my highest priority.