I had the same problem with the plates sticking. The book doesn't give a real setting, but just tells you how to make sure they are equally open with the dial gauge, and I suspect they are set at the factory as the screws have a dab of sealer on them. I found that having them just open enough not to stick, and then doing the setting by the book worked for me. The balance tube and the idle air control valve should do the rest to give the proper amount of air.