Linc's 200":32lljhtb said:cfmustang":32lljhtb said:It sounds like I have now reached the end of my abilities to solve this and will have to put the car away till I can find a actual mechanic and scrape up enough money to get it fixed.
You just need some more talented friends!!!
He has plenty of talented friends, right here at FordSix.com

The cam timing very well may be off, but quite frankly I wouldn't worry about it just yet, and even if it is off it still can be made to run better without spending a bunch of money. There are still several simple things to do before getting all worried about the cam.
#1) A sticky valve is not the same as a mis-adjusted valve but it can give a similar symptom on the vacuum gauge. A proper re-adjustment of the valves is definitely in order. It seems unlikely that a valve would be "sticky" on an engine this newly rebuilt but it could happen.
#2) After verifying the valve adjustment, it is time to check the timing at upper rpm's. This is where the markings on the timing pulley come into play. Just mark it at 5 degree intervals and revv it up with the timing light and tach on it. It needs to be pretty close to 35 degrees at 3000+ rpm. That is about the most that you should see with the vacuum advance unhooked. If you get 40 or more it needs to be reduced.
These are relatively simple tests, well within your abilities. Remember, you already verified the timing marks, this is no more difficult. Hang in there, you'll get it yet.
Joe