Hello Fellow y blockers,
I currently have a 272 y block with an Edelbrock 1406.  What would be the best vacuum port to use for the vacuum advance, engine vacuum or timed?  The edelbrock manual suggests using the timed vacuum port for emission controlled engines and the engine vacuum port for non-emissions controlled engines.  My engine is basically stock with the road draft tube still in place.  It seems to be running a bit rich using the engine vacuum port.  The distributor is a 57 non load o matic. Any comments will be appreciated.

What I do. Use the timed port. Running rich at idle should not have anything to do with what port your using unless your tune is off. Timing probably to slow. Y blocks like advanced timing at idle. Set your all in at 35*-36* about 2500 rpm vacuum disconnected and don’t worry about initial unless it kicks back when starting. You will end up around 10 or 12* initial maybe 14 at the crankshaft.

Duane

In my opinion they run better hooked up to engine vacuum.  I had to add an extra fitting for the extra port to get a source for the carb.  Not sure if the Edelbrock carb has an extra engine vacuum port. 
Ralph

What does Edelbrock recommend? Holley recommends port vacuum.I seem to recall Ted saying that he uses port vacuum as well.

Here are links to some reading material on this subject on this forum.

http://forums.y-blocksforever.com/FindPost153890.aspx

Ported versus unported vacuum for the distributor. (y-blocksforever.com)

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

What the Edelbrock manual suggests is using the timed vacuum port for emissions controlled engines and the engine vacuum port for non emissions controlled engines.  My 272 does not have a PCV it still has the road draft tube installed.  I had been using the engine vacuum port for the vacuum advance seemed to be running ok just a bit rich, tailpipes somewhat black.. Some people suggest using the timed port others the engine vacuum port.  I may need to check timing but I do not have a timing light to verify.  I am using a Pertronix 1 with a flamethrower coil.  Is there any other way to check timing?  By ear? Thanks for everyones input.

Thank you Ted lots of info here