Thanks to all you here who advocate methodical testing. I pulled out my vacuum gauge and at idle it evenly pulses a half an inch at 20 inches- which makes sense as the engine has a little hiss that I've been told indicates a burned valve. The cranking test was a pulse between 7 and 9, so I tightened the carb to the intake manifold, and it went up to 15 inches at cranking! Runs much better now- no stumble. Will test drive later.
Well, my time went so quickly,
I went lickety-splitly
Out to my ol' 55.
As I pulled away slowly,
Feelin' so holy,
God knows, I was feelin' alive..... Tom Waits, Ol' 55
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