No, it performs better with it disconnected at the carb, with that port plugged.


Though it might have another issue. I noticed today, while running it, that it had a surge of what seemed like 200 rpm or so.

 

that is the strange part. it should not make a difference if the vacuum advance is not working.

surging could possibly be lots of things.

 

Maybe there is a vacuum leak somewhere causing the advance to not work properly and making it in turn run lean?

 

i was possibly thinking the vacuum advance mechanism might be causing a vacuum. if the distributor is as old as the engine then the rubber diaphragm may be bad. anything is really possible with old trucks.

 

So you're saying that the diaphragm may have busted causing a leak?

As for the age, I've no idea, it looks old.

Like everything else on this engine. lol

I am almost tempted to get some new hose and hook it up to manifold vacuum.

 

ya. it could be. new hose might be a good place to start but i think you may want to see about getting the pickup moving with vacuum power. if you can get it moving you may see better performance out of the engine.

 

I'm trying to figure out what I'm looking at.lol
Haynes diagrams ain't too spiffy.

 

haynes is one of those 50/50 things. it beats having nothing but is sometimes not very clear with what you need.

 

I guess I'll end up getting new hose, and running it to the vacuum tree on the back of the manifold and seeing if that works.
When I'll get around to it, I dunno.lol

 

Tried poking around with a spray bottle and a rubber hose, couldn't find a vacuum leak.

It almost seems like it comes and goes, as the surge that was there yesterday wasn't there today.



I also finally noticed the front shock bushings totally gone. lol
That explains the clunk.