pro60, yes it does have 4 corner adjustments and i have used a vacuum gauge to adjust them all to highest vacuum (15 inhg). all four screws are only set out a little over 1/2 turn from bottom.
tech, i just gave it a valve job and they all opened and closed properly, as far as the packing material goes, i dont know. i will check that.
urotu, yes #1 and 2 are wet and black down the thread side only. the porcelean has a greyish, reddish color down to where the procelean goes into the threads, at the same time, #5 and 6 are black down the thread side(, but the porcelean is bone white, #8 is black down the sides and the porcelean is dark grey down about a 1/3 of the way. i need to borrow a camera and just show what im talking about here.......bear with. the engine doesnt seem to be using any liquids, i have been checking them after every time i drive it.
on a side note, my brother told me that the older gentleman that built the engine said to call him and he will send a custom ignition for this engine (my brother was in the air force and came home right after the engine was built). apparently my brother paid for the ignition, but decided to give it to the guy as a tip, so no custom ignition. ive tried calling the shop, but no answer. what does this tell you.