My V6 runs very well when warmed up but when cold it won't tick over without a gentle foot on the throttle. I have delved around in the mapping software (Easymap) and made the mixure a little richer when the engine is cold but it has only partially solved the problem.

In the absence of an idle speed controller, should I advance or retard the ignition to raise the cold tickover speed ?

Are you using a normal distributer?
(I am assuming injection right?)
If so, then I would say stick with the standard timing, otherwise the engine will then play up or could be damaged when up to temp.
Just sounds like lack of "choke". Have you checked your temp sensor is working ok?
Perhaps the easymap thinks that the engine is already warm?

Can’t you fit a small solenoid air valve to get the idle speed up when its cold? And then it simply shuts when hot. Saying that most carburetor cars have a bi-metal air valve in the air cleaner housing that could be adapted to bleed some extra air in.

I assume you are running mapped ignition (2.5 ford V6, right?). If so, advance the (idle) ignition when cold. If needed, retard the warm idle ignition and open the throttle a little further. This gets you more possibilities to control the throttle with the ignition timing.

Thanks for the replies guys - its a fuel injected 2.5 V6 Duratec controlled by MBE ecu.

So if I understand sebastian's reply, I can advance the timing a smidge at cold tickover to raise the tickover a little (only needs a tiny increase to stop it stalling) I'll give it 1 degree advance when below 15 degrees C to see what happens.

Apparently the idle control valve is difficult to put into the map - I can't see why but that's what the rolling road guys told me. btw - The temp sensor is fine - at least it roughly tallies with the Digidash temp gauge.