A little sputter at idle

[Ziffdaddy]

On my stock 74' with a vac adv. dist., I've got a bit of a sputtering/slight gurgling sounds from the tailpipe at idle (uneven sound from the tailpipe). Under the hood, she sounds nice and idles at 650 or so and drives nice, too. My question is, what should I look into to tune out this problem? I'm feeling like it's a timing/vacuum/fuel....type thing, but not too sure. She's pinging a little bit doing the high gear low speed, 'step on the throttle' test, so I believe I need to retard it a little, right? Thanks guys.

 

[Ziffdaddy]

I've retarded the timing a bit and she runs better but still has a little sputter at idle. Also, the head is totally rebuilt and I believe I have the valves adjusted properly. Any thoughts on what to look at next or is that how these ran new? I just want perfection, that's all...

 

[Pin_Head]

Sputtering/gurgling from the exhaust is not something to worry about. Worry about whether the engine has good compression and is in tune.
Were you expecting the Halleluja chorus from Handel's Messiah?

 

[Ziffdaddy]

Hahaha! that would be pretty cool! I guess I need to ease back my OCD...Thanks for the talk down from the ledge Pinhead...

 

[Pighead]

what should I look into to tune out this problem?

A vacuum gauge...set your timing with it.