hmmm...
the length of that rod is not how you adjust idle.
re
any side-to-side movement in throttle pushrod
> causes engine idle to drop off.

if you are saying wiggling the throttle shaft or rod attached to it affects
idle...
I'd be checking how the shaft fits in the throttle body.

the length of the rod affects when it shifts .
I forget which way is which ..
usually they are OK..
if you find, for example....that you are waiting for it to shift up
...........like later than usual ..
the length of that rod will affect that .

I've had lots of vanagons that would not respond properly to the air bypass
screw ..
for one thing ..
is the idle switch making contact at idle ?

I've had to play with the whole set up at times..
to get them dialed in.
got vacuum leaks ?

----- Original Message -----
From: "John Lauterbach" <jhlauterbach@BELLSOUTH.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, December 13, 2011 12:17 AM
Subject: pushrod from auto. trans to throttle

> Again, all of this refers to '84 Vanagon, 1.9L engine, automatic
> transmission.
>
> Running out of options so looking for the less obvious.  When I put in
> new long block in 2003, engine ran fine with idle screw 1/2-turn CCW and
> throttle body used with old engine.  A couple of years later, I was able
> to get a rebuilt throttle body and had it installed by mechanic at local
> TBA store (unfortunately no longer there).  Automatic transmission was
> rebuilt in 2010 and problems with engine performance began about a year
> later.
>
> One thing about current situation is that engine speed too low even at
> two turns CCW on the idle screw.  Started looking at throttle pushrod.
> Loosened lock nut and moved adjusting screw in about five turns and
> tightened the lock nut.  Engine RPMs more than enough to backoff on idle
> adjust screw.  However, any side-to-side movement in throttle pushrod
> causes engine idle to drop off.  Is this normal?
>
> John