Oil Pressure gauge freaking out

Vac gauge, funny thing is, I was always told to adjust for highest vac reading. When I get the highest reading (8-9), the engine runs like **** and wants to die, when I get it to run great and not want to die and fires right up first try, it's not at it's highest vac reading, but is stead 7psi

If it's an automatic try adjusting the carb with some one inside with their foot on the brake and the car in gear at idle.