I need to do some tuning on my Carter AFB, but I don't know quite how to do it. I basically need to know the air-fuel ratio (rich/lean) and vacuum while driving the car in order to figure out what metering rods and springs I would need. I can't afford to get gauges to mount in the console, but I already have a vacuum gauge.

Also, until then, could I just throw in the old metering rods, springs, and needle seats that were on before I rebuilt the carb with a standard kit? Can I reuse the airhown gasket?

 

Go ahead and use the rods/springs/jets that were in there. It'll at least give you a starting point to work with. It's usually possible to re-use the airhorn gaskets on Carter and Edelbrock carbs, since they're above the level of fuel in the bowl anyway, but after the carb's been taken apart a couple times the gasket tends to fall apart.

Check out the carb section at thirdgen.org...there's some good tuning information there for all kinds of carbs.