Just curious, how are you setting the timing?
The vacuum retard retards the timing by around 15 degrees, so it normally
produces a large reduction in idle rpm. But if you are following what many
books seem to say, and setting the timing to 4 ATDC with the vacuum line
disconnected, then connecting it is going to move the spark so late that the
engine will hardly run.
My opinion, if the vacuum retard is causing you grief, then just plug it and
leave it. It wastes fuel and actually increases one pollutant, while
producing only a moderate reduction in another pollutant that will
biodegrade anyway. But with the line disconnected, time the ignition to
around 10 or 12 BTDC, rather than the 4 ATDC given in the book.
Apologies if this has already been covered in this thread, I haven't really
been paying attention.
-- Randall
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