I've been playing with a friends motor for the past couple days and just can't get this thing to run correctly. It’s a Chevy 350 in an 81 Camaro, approx. 11:1 compression, Dart iron angle-plug heads w/2.02/1.60 valves, a Comp 294 solid cam, Edelbrock 750cfm carb on an RPM intake, headers with 2.5” dual exhaust and flowmaster mufflers. Problem is the thing just has no power at all (I mean an escort will dust it), will barely idle, and almost instantly fouls plugs. I’ve gone through the ignition (GM HEI: changed coil & module), tried several different plug types with varying gaps, tried 5 different carburetors, completely drained the tank and filled with 112 octane, checked filters/gaskets, etc… checked rocker adjustment 3 times, checked cam timing 3 times, and checked compression. Everything came up fine. The only thing I haven’t done is put a vacuum gauge on it because mine broke and I’ve been waiting for Fed-Ex to bring my new one, although I have tried putting a 3.5 power valve in the Holley 750 I tried and that didn’t work either. It seems like a giant vacuum leak to me but I can’t find anything yet. The heads are in excellent shape so I don’t suspect them. I figured I’d post and see what everyone says while I wait for my vacuum gauge. Thanks!

From description of exhaust it has no converter, right?

Just asked about the converter since an 80 would have had one, not legal to run on the road without.
One more thing, you didn't mention ignition timing, have you checked it?

Yeah there are no converters. I have checked ignition timing and cam timing. Also, I put the vacuum gauge on it today...perfect. It was 11" at idle and perfectly stable, yet the motor runs like year old ham sandwich. I also tried a different distributor today and even pulled the Pete Jackson gear drive out to inspect it. Everything seems mechanically sound, and I know the gas is good. Just doesn't make sense.

Didn't think it had converters but symptons sound a lot like a plugged one. Sounds like you know more than me, did you check timing at other than idel? No other ideas at the moment, but there are a lot of people here that know a lot more than me. Try posting this under Engines forum. I'm sure someone will have some ideas.
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