Hi all. i have just fitted a new edelbrock 500cfm performar carb and performer intake manifold on my stock 289. I have got the engine running but cannot get the tuning set up right. if i have it set below 1400 rpm it runs erratic and stalls. dont think that i have any vacuum leaks.

also the car has a petronix ignitor distributor, when i connect up a dwell meter i cannot get the dwell to change when i rotate the distributor.

 

The dwell does not change. You need a timing light, not a dwell tach. Set the timing (not the dwell) and start from there. Adjust the idle mixture screws per the Edelbrock carb manual.

 

Hi,
I'll add. Buy a engine vac gauge. I'll help you adjust the mix screws. Also, it'll reveal any other engine maladies. As mentioned, use a timing light and shelve forever that dwell tach, it's now, a piece of Automotive tuning history. The only time I have bought it out, is for the guys in the hood who are still running points.
Happy Motoring!

 

Tad's right on about the dwell - once you go electronic ign, reading the dwell goes away since there's no points.

Sounds like a vacuum leak to me. Take some carb cleaner or brake cleaner and spray it at every place the IM touches the engine an carb.if it speeds way up there's a leak there. also look for missing vac caps on the edelbrock carb. If you can get it to idle around 1000 rpm take the vac line off of the dist and set the static timing to 8 deg. from there you can fine tune things once you get the idle situation under control.