The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Changing idle rpm’s

First close the throttle valve all the way. Now press down on the diaphragm shaft until it bottoms out and hold it there. Lift up slightly on the metering rod and set it down again if you want to check. You can feel it hit the bottom of the carb body and watch carefully to see that it doesn't hit bottom too soon. If you don't feel it touch, press gently on it to see how much it is off and then gently bend the lip of the metering rod arm. Ideally the metering rod arm and the lifter arm should sit straight on top of one another and ideally the metering rod bottoms when the diaphragm is all the way down.

You may have to remove the exhaust manifold to get the heat flap unstuck. Some of those are stuck awfully badly (as you've learned). Where in Texas are you?