A carburetor is always a "compromise" at just about any RPM. You can't actually "tune" it for a desirable A/F ratio across the entire RPM range, you just adjust the idle mixture and change jets until it "works". It's an antiquated solution, and OEMs haven't used one for over 30 years since EFI took over. Same with a mechanical/vacuum advance distributor. EFI and computer-controlled ignition is far advanced from floats, jets, and springs.
Sure a carb is "simple", if you can call it that, but manual steering is simpler than power steering, manual brakes are simpler than power brakes, and crank windows are simpler than power windows. A hard top is "simpler" than a convertible top too. I know lots of guys still use carbs, and that's fine if that's what they want to use. Never again for me, unless I buy a restored muscle car.
The hardest part so far has been getting the PC to work and talk to the ECU. The rest of the setup has been kinda fun and I like a challenge. I think the final tuning is going to be interesting once I get to that point.
My wife helped me crank the engine while I checked the timing last night. I found out that it's really hard to see the timing tab on the timing chain cover since I painted the whole thing charcoal, and the damper is black.
Never thought about that when I painted the timing marks and numbers on the damper white. Plus my PS pump is right in the way so it's hard to get an good angle on it. But as far as I could tell, it looks like I stabbed the distributor in right at 10 degrees advanced.
It's close enough to start it up for sure.
I plan to paint a white edge on the timing tab so it's easier to see when I go to sync the timing with the ECU. I may have to get one of those remote cameras that interfaces with your phone
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My wife is making a bigger deal out of this than I am. She knows how long I've been working on this chassis and engine and she insists that we have a "startup party" of sorts so she invited a bunch of my friends and neighbors over today at 3PM for beer and food. Come on over if you want to!