More information: Nasty engine noise was the water pump pulley had worked it's way loose - now fixed temporarily - permanent fix coming. So the cam gear is fine. I called John Parker today - checked a few things that he suggested. I've got it timed at 10 degrees BTDC with 35 degrees of total timing. This is in his range of OK. He figured it is a vacuum leak, so I bought a couple of cans of quick start and hosed down the carbs (throttle shafts and everywhere else), intake at the carbs, intake at the head, threaded ends of intake, PCV nipple and anywhere else I could think. No change in RPM...no leak?

I set the carbs back to the factory setting (2.5 turns down - no lift pins, just a blind set-up). I put my vacuum gauge on it at the PCV nipple (it is the right one with the small orifice) and measured 14" Hg at idle and when blipped (accounting for the movement of the SU piston) the vacuum would go to 18" - 20" depending on rpm. That sounds fine to me. I've got the wideband calibrated, I'll try that tomorrow.

I'm calling in Rhys Kent of Island Automotion and see what he thinks. He rebuilds them for a living and I may just overnight them to him for a look.

Craig