Tool idea, to help customize power piston springs

[Frank400]

I've been thinking about that lately, some sort of tool that would that would help select and/or, even better, modify some power piston springs for really custom(read specific)  applications.  The latest Q-Jet I've rebuilt using Cliff's parts is my wife's 67 Firebird 326 HO, bone stock except for headers, iron Pontiac intake and 17059272 apt quadrajet.  Vacuum is very good at idle, around 19.5".  Been thinking lately about installing a vacuum gauge in the car to monitor all the vacuum conditions during her "regular" driving cycles, to try to select and or modify a power piston spring to try to get even better economy.  Not that it's not ok, I just like to idea of improving things a little more all the time. 

  This tool could be made out of a junk Qjet main body in which I could drop a power piston and spring and apply vacuum somewhere from under it, and take note of the position relative to the vacuum reading.  Before I attempt it, any info/ideas would be appreciated from others who may have thought about this as well.  Frank.

[73 Z28]

I've been thinking about that lately, some sort of tool that would that would help select and/or, even better, modify some power piston springs for really custom(read specific)  applications.  The latest Q-Jet I've rebuilt using Cliff's parts is my wife's 67 Firebird 326 HO, bone stock except for headers, iron Pontiac intake and 17059272 apt quadrajet.  Vacuum is very good at idle, around 19.5".  Been thinking lately about installing a vacuum gauge in the car to monitor all the vacuum conditions during her "regular" driving cycles, to try to select and or modify a power piston spring to try to get even better economy.  Not that it's not ok, I just like to idea of improving things a little more all the time. 

  This tool could be made out of a junk Qjet main body in which I could drop a power piston and spring and apply vacuum somewhere from under it, and take note of the position relative to the vacuum reading.  Before I attempt it, any info/ideas would be appreciated from others who may have thought about this as well.  Frank.

Frank,
Its a great idea to look for more fuel economy from your ride. Have you considered getting a wide band O2 sensor? These can be purchased with header reducers that already have the welded in bungs you will need to screw the O2 sensor into. Then you can just observe the O2 readings whie driving, make any carb changes and reobserve the readings to see if your heading in the right direction. Normally most OEM's try to set up their Air/Fuel ratios around 14.7:1 for cruising. Much richer for accelerations. Good luck with your project!!

Paul