I read of specific engine temps you car should run. How do you test these temps and what is the ideal range? Also, how do you tell the proper carb settings?

from 200 to 250 is a decent temp, it really depends on how how your running and the outside temp. If you dont have a temp gun, you can use the spit method, put some spit on your finger and wipe the top of the cooling head with it, if is sizzles right away your too hot, if it evaporates in 3 to 5 seconds your good and if it just sits there, its too cool.

just make sure no matter what you do, you have plenty of smoke coming from the exhaust.

200-230 degrees are good temps don't try and get it exact you'll go crazy trying. The spit methode is a good methode if you don't have a temp gun.

You test temps by one of two ways get a temp gun, here's a link I found with some.

http://www.tempgun.com/main.html

Or the water on the head way.

It’s important to check the head temperature during the operation of the engine. The
best method for checking the head temperature is to use a head temperature gauge.
There are several head temperature gauges available, and the temperature readings
between these different brands of gauges vary. Due to this variance , the temperature
readings will range between approximately 200 degrees and 230 degrees. If you
don’t have access to a head temperature gauge, you can use water to check the head
temperature. Place a drop of water on top of the cylinder head. If it sizzles away
immediately, shut down your engine. If it takes approximately 3-5 seconds for the
water drop to boil away, then the engine is running within a normal temperature
range.

And here are some pics of carb settings. But also keep in mind you have to tune your own engine, each engine is tuned different from motor to motor, the temp outside has a big effect on how it runs the colder the richer the hotter the leaner[sm=tongue_smile.gif] I think thats how it is. Someone please correct me if im wrong.

Tunning the engine for max power.
Sometime between the fourth and the sixth tank of fuel, the inner engine parts
should be settled and broken in. You can then begin adjusting the fuel mixture to
maximize performance for your driving needs.
As you continue to lean the fuel mixture, the engine will run faster up to a point.
When the engine is set too lean, it will seem to run strong at first, but will bog,
hesitate, or stall when running at high speed. The engine will also rapidly overheat
when the setting is too lean. This is because fuel includes lubrication, and that lubrication
is inadequate when the setting is too lean.
CHECK THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE OFTEN AS YOU LEAN THE MIXTURE. DO NOT
LET THE ENGINE OVERHEAT. You should always see smoke coming from the exhaust.At the optimum setting,
the engine will clean out; have a strong-sounding, highpitched whine at full speed; and there will be
a thin trail of whitish smoke coming from the exhaust. It is always better to set the engine a little rich rather than too lean.
Find an area with a long straight-away so you can allow the engine to run at full speed. Run your car two or three passes at full throttle and note its performance. Turn the high-speed mixture screw clockwise 1/8 of a turn and retest
your car, again noting the vehicle’s performance. Continue to lean the mixture and retest the vehicle until the highest speed is achieved. At that point, turn the mixture screw counterclockwise 1/16 of a turn. This is the optimum setting that the engine
should be set to run at.
If the engine stalls on acceleration, begins to bog or slow down at full throttle, or
if there is a reduction in exhaust smoke, then the engine is running too lean. Immediately
turn the high speed mixture screw counterclockwise ¼ of a turn and operate the
car at medium speeds for 1 to 2 minutes to allow the engine to cool. Then, continue
testing.

Tunning for low speed performance
The low-speed mixture affects how the engine will perform in the low to mid range
rpms. Turning the low-speed needle clockwise will lean the mixture. As with the highspeed
mixture, leaning the low-speed mixture increases performance. Again, if the
mixture here is set too lean, the engine may be starved for lubrication in the low and
mid-rpm ranges, thus causing overheating and excessive engine wear.
Perform the following test to determine if the low speed mixture is set correctly.
With the engine warm and running, allow it to idle for approximately 15 seconds.
Now quickly apply throttle and note the performance.
If the engine bogs, accelerates erratically, and a large puff of blue smokes emitted,
then the low speed mixture is too rich. Turn the low-speed screw clockwise 1/8 of a
turn.
If the engine speeds up for a moment then bogs, hesitates, or stalls, then the low
speed mixture is too lean. Turn the screw counterclockwise 1/8 of a turn. Adjust the
mixture screws in 1/8 of a turn increments, wait 15 seconds, and retest after each
change. Adjust for the best acceleration without the car stalling.

Carburetor Settings