Tuning a 4401 Carter AVS...

[StockMan]

I have a 383 4bbl with the original Carter AVS carb.  I recently added a new carb kit to it.  How can I tell if the carb is setup optimally as far as the air/fuel mixture?  Can I tell by reading the plugs?  I'm not at a point where I can drive the car yet but it does run quite well.

Thanks

[resq302]

You can hook up a vacuum gauge and adjust the mixture screws till you get the highest vacuum reading.

[StockMan]

Thanks.  I'll pick one of those up and give that a try.  I have a bit more duration on my cam so I would expect that the vacuum might be a little lower than stock.  I've been told that I may have over did it with the cam.  I had a new crane 'Fireball' that I purchased years ago but never installed.  The stock cam had a bit of wear so I installed the fireball/lifters.  It runs great.  I was told that it will be pretty flat off the line but will hit at the higher RPMs.  Not really what I wanted but its in now.  This motor is temporary anyway, I will be rebuilding another one to factory 383 4bbl specs.