Just a progress report. Today, being off from our shop, I got into the engine. Armed with information from the forum I checked the EGR, vaccum leaks around the hose ends, loose things in general.
Then I went to the timing. I set the timing to 4bdc as per specs., however I did cam the engine. When the cam was installed, it was installed at 0 degrees. I could have gone 3 degrees or five degrees either way but I chose 0 degrees.
I loosened the distributor and went by ear. I always used to tune by ear, timing, and carburator balance. The first time I timed the engine I did it by a light. This time I went by ear. I am probably up to 6 degrees bdc and it purrs. There is just a tad of hesitation coming off a light with a light pedal, but the shuddering feel is gone as is the major hesitation. Once I had the timing dialed in by ear, the Edelbrock became tuneable.
According to Edelbrock, the start point is three turns off bottom. According to Summit, the start point is 1 1/2 turns off bottom. It will run 3 turns off bottom but it can be tuned 1 1/2 turns off bottom. It is right now, 1.75 turns off bottom and the tune performs as per the owners manual.
So far, so good. I checked the EGR, and it is new and functioning. I checked the PVC and it is new and functioning. I checked all the hose connections and they are new, some a little long and I trimmed them down.
It feels like I wanted it to. Running around town today, the gas guage did not move so I already have better fuel mileage. We probably did not put over 50 miles on it but it would have moved before. Going to the taller rear gets better mileage but it presents other issues. Once it gets going and it is sprite off the line with little pressure, it really wants to run.
so far, so good. Thanks for the pointers, they helped me with all the overall settings, and timing. I should have done it by ear from the first place.
Would roller rockers do anything besides lighten my wallet?