I was wondering how long should you let your mustang warm up in the mornings?  I live in Southern Cali so its never freezing or anything like that, but shouldn't I warm up the engine still?  I usually put the key in the ignition on the on position and press the gas 2 times quickly and then start the car.  I have a '66 Hardtop 289.  The car rev's high, is this too much for a cold start?

Thanks  

Older cars used a "fast idle" setting and closed the choke plate to keep the engine running until there was a little heat in the intake and mixture distribution got a little better.  It keep the car from stalling when you drive it cold.  The setting was usually around 1100~1200 RPM, so almost double normal idle.  It should come off the fast idle step within a couple of minutes.  As for warming, if you give the engine a minute or so to circulate the oil then it's time to drive it normally.  It'll warm up while you're going.  If the temp get's really cold - freezing is what, 55F in So Cal? - you can let it run a bit longer on fast idle.  The deal is to warm it as soon as possible and driving does that.  Warming gets the choke open and leans out the fuel mix - better for mileage and reduced engine wear.  In my race cars with forged pistons, they idle or get driven around slow until both water and oil reach full operating temp.  

Thanks will do!  

Same for me, even here in FL...

It runs on the fast idle cam of the choke for a minute or two, then I give the pedal a quick tap to knock it down to base idle speed, and then I'm off...

Of course, much depends upon the engine and the internal components. On my old school 347 stroker in my '90 with full floating pins and forged pistons I usually let the engine run for about five minutes in the AM (first cold start of the day, not every time I start it) to get the temps up and even on the various internal parts...

I also take it easy on the first 10 minutes or so of driving (no full throttle, banging gears, etc.) until the temps come up further...

HTH...
Mark