[SuperHart]

RE: the poster above with the 3500 RPM idle, when I installed my dual quad setup I had a similar problem but my idle was around 1600 RPM with both idle speed screws backed completely out. I am running a pair of #8007 390 cfm carbs. After several attempts at removing and adjusting the carbs I found that on one carb the primary throttle plates were installed upside down which prevented proper seating in the throttle bores. FLipping the plates over solved the problem. You must remember that the edges of the throttle plates are beveled to provide a proper seat and seal against the bores. If you can hold the carb up to a light source and look up from the underside of the carb and see light around the throttle plates you need adjustment. A vacuum leak from areas other than the carb usually produce erratic idle, poor throttle response and a lower than normal manifold vacuum reading.

RE: Power Valves - help me out here. My vacuum gauge reads 17-18 at idle. The power valves are 6.5s. Should I swap for different valves or leave well enough alone?

RE: Power Valve Protection - this is fairly easy to determine if you have a power valve protector installed. Look at the underside of the baseplate between and in front of the primary bores. If you see a hole with what looks like a tiny steel ball in the hole then you have a power valve protector installed. If not, several manufacturers make a retrofit kit which is a snap to install.