you REALLY need to get the manual, 15 PSI is normal for these engines, and usually the capillary tubes to the temp gage has been broken for 20 years or so. You need to set the timing with the ball on the flywheel (this is one of the reasons you NEED the manual, these things are like nothing you have ever seen) there is at least one link somewhere about setting the timing with a vacuum gage. the wipers work without the vacuum canister, that just makes it work better under acceleration. Replacing them with an electric motor makes them work under acceleration much better. Although many people deal with the vacuum wipers, I prefer not to. As far as manifold heat I put fentons on my truck and have no heat at all and it hasn't run this well for a long time, although it isn't terribly cold out right now. Whatever course of action you take it will be an adventure...
