For testing and short driving, just wire the distributer up to 12 volts. The resistor wire is for long term points wear, you are not going to wear them out for the short term, you might even get a stronger spark.
Take the pertronix out and store it where you can't find it.
Take the questionable carb apart and clean it, look at it, do something other then replace it. If you go the replacement route, just change the one questionable one, the other is running fine. No need to add two more variables to the mix.
Fuel pressure should be about 3 psi to 4 psi, anymore and you can blow past the seats of raise the fuel level slightly. If you can not lower the pressure, at least lower the floats. 1/16" wouldn't hurt.
Vacuum setting timing is OK till you get some drive time in. Higher timing will net better fuel mileage, up to a point. The truck needs to fire right up, and no detonation when pulling hills is high gear ( heavy load on engine ). Depending on the fuel in your area, you may need a different setting then the rest of us around the country. Don't be afraid to change it. I find it runs and drives best, where it sounds best when setting, I pay little attention to the vacuum gauge. You also need to adjust idle speed as you adjust timing to keep it in the range you like. Same holds true of the fuel mixture screws.
Joe
