64 Dart 273 Engine Vacuum

Vcode said

After going over the timing and checking everything, I think I got it. Seems that the guy that worked on it before I took over had a few exhaust rockets too tight. It did run better at idle. I did not take it out on the road yet. The vacuum came up to 17-18

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UPDATE:
The Dart was running Great for 3 months. I fixed the misadjusted Rockers from the past bad mechanic. My friend said it never ran so good, he was so happy. Disaster struck when he was driving it on the highway about 60 mph and it started to stumble, running rough and one backfire and pulled over. it stopped running and now hard to start and if it does start it will not run for more than 20 seconds. I had carb bench checked, points, coil, ballast, fuel pump pressure 6 and gas is clean and no water. I think the only thing left is check compression, valve timing or adjustment screws moved. I had 18 inches of Vacuum and a smooth idle, 12 degrees initial timing. Am I missing something.
Bob