Triumph Repair: engine idles fine but stalls when revved up, vacuum test, manifold vacuum

Question
Hey,

I have a 1963/4 mk1 spitfire. I recently rebuilt the carbs and ignition system and now I can start the car. However, when I turn it on it idles a little high (around 2000 rpm), and when I try and rev it the engine stalls. As I gently push on the throttle I can hear what sounds like air escaping (it sounds like its coming from the carbs), and the engine won't rev up. If I continue to depress the throttle the engine stalls. Any ideas? Thanks.

Answer
Hi Mark,
Your symptoms do not indicate what is wrong. It only indicates you need to do some testing.
First you need to confirm that the engine is ok by running a compression test. All four cylinders should be from 125 PSI to 180 PSI with little variation between each cylinder.
If the compression test is ok run a manifold vacuum test. At idle and watch as you try to rev the engine up slowly. Let me know what it reads.
Did this engine run before you rebuilt the carbs and ignition system? What is the history of this engine?
Howard