If the hoses are the correct size, you shouldn't need clamps as it is a vacuum system.

What kind of side exhaust, factory (69), Hooker nest of snakes, ??

 

Got the vacuum tester today, will check it all out tomorrow. Does the vacuum increase when you give more throttle? I was just letting it idle and the lights wouldn't hardly open.

The side kit was off of ebay. I hope they work out. For under $250 I had to try them. The idiot that had it before me just ran straight pipes and they were all rusted and when I put on the mufflers the pipe would rub the rear tire. Will take a pick when installed.

 

You'll have the highest vacuum when the engine is de-cellerating but for all practical purposes the vacuum at idle will be the reading you want to focus on. When you open the throttle the vacuum will drop. If you have a stock motor you should see 24-27 inches of vacuum at curb idle.

 

This forum is great, there are so many of you that I have to say thank you to for guiding me step and now letting me share that with someone else.
Plug the vacuum guage into the first port from the manifold. This is the referance reading, then follow the "vacuum" side of each hose. The gauge should show the first reading all the way to the last connection, if you get a low reading " Stop " that is the leak.

78 buckshot is correct, the vacuum at idle is what you want to test.

Vacuum is produced by the engine.
At idle= high vacuum.
Throttle to floor=little or no vacuum.
Steady throttle at high way speed=highvacuum.

This will help more when we redo you timing, but for now letf fix the lights. PG

 

Can I use any hoses I want if they fit? The hoses on there seem to be too big and rub against each other. I think they might be causing them to leak a little. I think I just want so get new hoses all around.

 

As long as they don't collapse. Vacuum hoses are designed not to collapse under a vacuum.

 

For seat too, if you have an early C3 you can swithc to the later C3 seats. 1978 anni and above, the clamshell seats fold flat to give access to the back, they also have larger side bolster than the other ones. As long as you get seat tracks that are not power seats, should be a direct switch.