help with my 1600cc offroad tune

[demundus]

Hi all, long time lurker, finally decided to get beat up for whatever I might be doing wrong by posting for help haha.

First, the specs:
1600cc
8:1 compression
1:1 rockers
vz-14 cam
91 octane
single 44 idf weber center mount, FAT intake, stock end castings
stock heads
1 3/8" exhaust
50 idle, 105 main, 175 air, f11 tubes, 25mm venturi (required size due to rules)
msd 6al ignition with blaster coil solid state
8.5 wires
WR8AC plugs, gapped to .024
13 deg initial, 35 deg all in
magnaspark 2 dizzy with silver bushing and 2800 all in springs
valves all set to .006 lash with chromolly pushrods (they were zero, i could go back...)

Now the issue:

This is an engine i built for a 1600 class race buggy. The rules are clear, high compression do what you want (lower size pict carbs) OR 8:1 compression stock everything run 44 idf choked to 25mm. Since theres too much tribal knowledge in high compression and i wanted something to last me while I learn... i built an 8:1 on the nose.

This car... i cannot get to run well, it will run, but it runs rich at all ranges. So rich that i think there is wicking/pooling on the 1/2 side of the endcasting where it meets the head. That said, I can get it to idle fine, my AFR reads a nice 12.7-13.0 at idle for 900 rpm, but transitioning to the mains, and even into the 5k range is gets poppy out the exhaust, and the AFR is pretty much pinned in the 10s, which is way too rich. This unusual combination of 44idf + 25mm venturi + low comp + cam is hard to get any real info on for tuning purposes.

I have tried all of the following:
40,45,50,55,60 idle jets. I am always more than 2 turns out on the screws
105,135,155 mains
150,175,200 airs
Another 44 idf (i have one spanish, one chinese clone)
Gaskets all around on all ends
I run two fuel pumps, one pulls 3 even, one pulls 2.8. I have tried both independently
Shot carb cleaner, wd40, starter fluid, whatever... at all the seams to find a vacuum leak
More advance
Less advance
0 lash on valves

Things I plan to still try:
Pull and inspect progression holes (forgot to last time i pulled the carb to swap it)
F2 tubes?
Wider plug gap, like .04 -- after reading, since i have a very strong coil/ignition i should be widening the gap
Different plugs -- perhaps these are too hot?
Buy a 3rd carb -- im that out of ideas


Anyone have anything I'm missing here?

[Bruce.m]

Float height setting?

[demundus]

Float height setting?

funny, i reread my post and though "poop i forgot this, i bet someone asks"

12mm and 26mm full drop. I've also tried 10mm, 11mm