I recommend you tear it down also because MP has not sold that engine since at least 2004. So if it's advertised as "brand new"...that point is somewhat debatable. If it's an "engineering dyno mule" consider the use/abuse it might have seen and take that into account too. Either way Look for rust/moisture/storage damage/dry areas that shouldn't be, just because it's old and has probably been sitting.

Not only that but the warranty is based on time only, 90 days (not use) and is long expired...so yeah, go through it.

Carb wise MP always recommended an 850 vacuum, but if it were mine I'd want to try an 850 annular dp.

There are a couple 500 wedge cars floating around here, hopefully the owners will post some real experiences.