Thanks, Crizila, scroll up a bit: I did change the emission 2280 for a '71 2280 and it didn't change it. You and I are thinking alike, 'cause I was sure that would fix it. The non-emission carb did up the power a touch.

Hot 340: I had kinda considered the fuel pump but ruled it out when I could wind it up to 110 mph in top gear without a problem.

I dunno, maybe I'll pull the fuel filter off, blow it out, and blow some air back to fuel tank and stir it up a bit. If that doesn't help I have another fuel pump laying around here and I'll throw it on.

Might be a bunch of crap in the tank at the pick-up, who knows.

It's this basic stuff that drives me bonkers: I can recite a small block stroker build-up from memory but can't get a stinkin' 318 beater sorted out.