Compression checked OK as far as I understand. #2 cylinder checked 135 PSI and all the others checked 145-150. The book says at least 100 PSI and all 8 within 30% ?
Both carbs now perform very similar after cleaning out the new carb. Both have had fresh gas from the start.
At 12-15 deg timing at idle, I get a steady ~ 10" vacuum at most, and rough idle. Turning the distributor up to 40 degrees, vacuum rises to steady 15", and after re-setting idle speed, idle sounds better. Any more timing than that, I get no more vacuum increase.
In all cases, if I quickly give it throttle, vacuum drops quick, engine sputters and sucks air, then vacuum spikes to 20" and the engine catches up. In the case where I'm at 40 degrees timing, it doesn't spike down as low which I guess it why it runs better there.
Plugs still black. I guess I'm still too rich even with the new carb and rods, flooding the plugs at acceleration since it can't get enough air? I'll order the next two leaner jets & rods but thats as lean as they go. Still confused as to how the car ran great previously and now the same old carb and new carb run so similarly, still makes me think its not carb related but I'll try anything.
