Vacuum Gauge Update

[GregH]

Not sure which is the best category for the topic - if wrong spot please let me know and I'll post it elsewhere.

Having recently installed the a vacuum gauge, the numbers seem a little off from "expected" though I realize from reading here that one's numbers are unique to their own engine.

That being said, I have also not done a thorough tune up yet; and I am guessing this can affect the reading on the gauge?

Was out on the weekend in calm weather.

Moving along in gear at idle (~800 rpm) the gauge was reading 15, at "cruise" of 1500 it was reading 5 and anything higher (2000 seems to be max) the gauge was reading 0-1.

So I'm asking the hive mind here - what's my next step or steps?

my initial thoughts are:

- idle adjust so its a little lower
- Adjust distributor while at cruise to max/sweet spot rpm?
- with new bypass set at "50%" 45min cruising and needle never went above 120F (lake is about 22C) - should allow more bypass to raise temps to around 140?

oh.. and a pinhole just developed near the bottom of the standpipe.. winter project

Thoughts? ideas? Buehler?