Car runs fine at idle but wants to surge

Check the timing. Sounds like its off.

Check the gas fuel filter and air filter and sparks.

The most common causes of this are a engine vacuum leak and a sticking idle speed control air bypass valve.

it sounds like its drawing air into the inlet mannifold

IAC - Idle Air Control sounds bad

its gonna be your clutch i had the same problem, when i floor it the rpms would go high then drop and take off i replaced it and it runs fine know

block off vacuum hose to brake booster and see if idle returns to normal if it does you need new brake booster has hole in diaphram internally some times slight hissing noise is evident in cab when pressing brake pedal to section where engine surges or idles high. also check for fuel leaks from hoses if you can smell fuel in engine bay while running and engine warm some leaks only leak while running and hot

Look for a vacuum leak (lines and intake), Is the engine light on, were any codes present? A faulty EGR or IAC could cause the problem too. Check the throttle cable for any restrictions.

those sensors could cause the issue, clean the MAF 1st, also clean the idle system using the following procedure, the IAC can cause cruise surge. I use this to cure these problems all the time.

Here is the most common cause of surges and stalls and low idle, it is the idle speed control air-bypass valve (IAC) and throttle valve, they get full of gunk over the miles and cause idle issues (stalls, low idle) like yours, Get a can of intake cleaner from any local parts store, not carb spray, intake cleaner, it is made by a company called CRC, remove the air intake hose to the engine, hold the idle high so the engine won't stall, then spray the can of cleaner into the intake while keeping the engine running, use at least 1/2 the can, shut down the engine and disconnect the battery for 5 minutes, then restart and complete a number of mixed driving cycles, town, freeway, stop and go etc., after a few days the problem will go away as the system will relearn to the clean intake.

sound very much like a vacuum leak.... also maybe your timing is off? possibly advanced? try retarding it with the distributor if thats the case...