Hot Rods flat head tuning help

Hi Guys, so I just got my flat head running. Its a '53 239 its basically stock came from a running car. The carburetor is a 94 ford every this is stock except the headers. The problem I'm having is when I accelerate it stumbles and acts like there is no power. The motor idles fine. I have about 8 deg. of advance and using stock distributor with vacuum coming from the carburetor. I have great even vacuum at idle about 20. the only thing that's not stock is the headers.
Any ideas...

 

You've got 8 degrees at idle? Does it advance when revved up? The vacuum pod could be ruptured, in which case you'd have no spark advance whatsoever.

 

It sounds like it could be secondary ignition problems. You need to confirm good operating condition of plugs, plug wires, dist. cap and rotor and coil. Basic tune up should be gone over and confirmed as good before looking farther.

 

Is the accelerator pump in the carburetor actually working? With the engine not running, look down the carb throat and move the throttle to wide open. You should see a strong squirt from the accelerator pump. The squirt should last maybe a half second.

 

I just chased down a similar issue with my flathead. Turned out the coil had a bad secondary wiring. You can test yours using an ohms meter.

Not saying that is your issue, but it does sound like an ignition issue with what you are describing.

 

Air cleaner? Type?

 

Looks like Kim is at work and not on the computer yet today. I will attempt to add clarity since we have a rod run to attend at the beach this weekend so we need this fixed quick.

I am pretty sure he has a pertronix module in a stock ford distributor. Pertronix coil as well, all new stuff. Same for wires and cap/rotor/plugs. I know he said that carb was a rebuilt unit.

It is an open element, paper air cleaner, good air flow I would guess.

Hopefully he gets home and takes a look at that carb accelerator pump mentioned and the vacuum pod on the distributor. I was there the other day when he fired it up and it idles like a million bucks and starts easily. Didn't smell too bad out back either. I was surprised when he said it was way down on power