Is my Vacuum too low?

BigBlockMopar said

I think 18-21" is a normal vacuum to have on a stock cammed idling engine.

Low vacuum can be caused by worn piston rings, lousy engine tune, wrongly installed camshaft, leaky valves or guides, just to name some.
Most issues can be found just by reading the vacuum gauge.
Vacuum gauge 'issues' Charts can be found all over the net.

My own 318 idled with 21" in Neutral and 19+" with transmission in Drive.

Click to expand...

I have seen the charts, and corrected most of the issues I have had, and at this point have replaced parts, and tuned to the point I cant seem to improve from where I am at. A steady needle and smooth engine at idle is where I'm at.... itching to drive it and see how it likes my settings.

The chart I read said low vacuum can be caused by initial timing being wrong, I have been up and down the bend with that distributor, and carburetor and where it is now seems to be where it wants to be. Like I said.... I don't know much about the history of this engine. I do know for sure it had aftermarket timing set on it, so for all I know it has an aftermarket Cam shaft. I wouldn't know by looking at it.

Would not be surprised if it was a high mileage engine with the appropriate wear and tear..... doesnt smoke a big blue cloud like my last 318 did at least!