Classic/Antique Car Repair: 1954 chevy plug fouling, 1954 chevy belair, vacuum advance

Question
HI VERN , I HAVE A 1954 CHEVY BELAIR 235 6 CYL.ALL MY PLUGS KEEP GETTING CARBON FOULED. I HAD CARB REBUILT, ALSO HEAD WAS REDONE. STILL SAME PROBLEM. RECENTLY I FOUND THAT THE VACUUM ADVANCE WAS NOT WORKING AND REPLACED IT . IT WORKS NOW BUT I HAVENT CHANGED THE PLUGS YET TO SEE IF THAT MADE A DIFFERENCE.GETTING FRUSTRATED, ANY OTHER IDEAS WHAT MAY BE CAUSING THIS PROBLEM? THANKS FOR YOUR INPUT

Answer
HI vito:
I'm guessing you are running rich. Check for black smoke in the exhaust and/or gas smell while idiling. This is a common cause if you are running rich. I change my plugs every two years or 10,000 miles because of this. You could adjust your carbs to decrease the problem. Other than that it is a common problem with old cars. also, you must add lead to your unleaded gas, which may be adding to the problem.