I've spent all day attempting to get the 235 in my 54 to run right. What it is doing is missing erratically during acceleration and idle both- acts kinda like a lean condition. I've subbed carburetors, coils, distributors off my other 54 that runs just fine with no success. Timing is set properly too.
The only time I'm able to get it to run "right" is when I put my hand over the air horn on the carb... then the engine settles down and stops missing, and the idle speed picks up significantly. Vacuum leak? All common sense says that 'this shouldn't be'
What's the best thing to use to check for leaks around the intake gaskets?
A little history on the problem. The engine ran find until I had to remove it to change the torque converter. While it was out, I steam cleaned and painted everything... engine bay, engine, manifolds, and accessories. The manifold was replaced as well because I found the a crack on the old exhaust manifold so I tossed it out back and used another manifold I had laying around. Visually it looks okay, but also how could I tell if there was a vacuum leak into the exhaust in the riser area?
I'm ready to be taken back to school here.
