Update:
Well this morning I wanted to see if I could get to the bottom of my uphill run like crap problem. Checked for vacuum, leaks all good. Even the intake is tight external and internal.
Next I installed a vacuum gauge, adjusted idle air\fuel screws, I have a solid 18" of mercury at 825 rpm, 20" at 2k rpm. So on to timing I had ported vacuum at the vac advance today, same as last drive with issue, timing was 1 or 2 degrees retarded. I advance the base timing to 15 degrees advanced, with ported vac 30 degree max no vacuum advance, 35 degrees with vacuum advance.
Had a hard time locking down the distributor. Distributor wench kept pushing the vac can, is my old point distributor wrench. Any way locked it down and went for a drive. Cruised flat and level 70 mph no problem, hit the bottom of west bound side of hill that I had the problem last Sunday, good I had to slow down from 65, I was in slow lane, moved left and truck accelerated slowly back to 60 mph engine ran smooth, shifted on it's own to 3rd pulled ok. Turn around east side of the hill. Dead stop at bottom of on ramp and hill, pulled well if slowly to 60 mph mostly in 3rd the whole way. This is the hill I barley made it over at 40 mph with engine bucking and surging Last Sunday.
So it seems the distributor was moving, explaining why I could drive over Cajon pass 1 time and have issue the next. The distributor had been snug I could move it, but it wasn't easy.
So I can't tighten the distributor down with my wrench it must be a tooth off, plus I don't like the where the vac can and the cap wiring box are clocked. Being anal retentive the way I am I set up #1 TDC pop the cap find a crack at the base of the cap, not an issue now but will be. So I move the distributor 1 tooth clock wise. Rotor is point straight forward. Put a new cap and set timing, 10 degrees base, ported vacuum, now goes to 45 degrees max timing, wtf. Try manifold vacuum. Base timing 0, 15 degrees with vacuum, 40 degrees total. Haven't driven since the re-clocking the distributor. Probably going to move dist back counter clockwise a tooth. Still don't like the finial position of cap and vac can.
So now I am looking at why it has no power up hill. So 1st thing check for wide open throttle. Nope not even close. disconnect the TV cable, try again wide open throttle. Adjust TV cable per GM manual, I get WOT or much closer, but the TV cable has 1/2" or more slack at idle. Install 300 psi test gauge in test port on trans, 65psi at idle, seems low to me, pull on cable moves at least 1/2" before pressure starts to climb. Now I know the the TV cable is supposed to be tight enough that the TV plunger is just slightly loaded. I am at a loss no matter what I try I can not get WOT and still have the plunger slightly loaded. I have an adapter linkage bolted to my carb, that is supposed to correct the radius for Qjet and 700r4 TV cable. Some web hunting regarding TV cables, I may have to change the plunger spring in the valve body. Or?
bad dist clocking
psi at idle no preload on Plunger
