Timing chain slack...?
Already provided that info in this thread.
www.evanswiring.com can supply a new correct engine bay wiring harness for very reasonable money.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

With a bit more advance it moves along better. Also with a gas pedal it's easier to put the pedal down. Carb is happy with the idle mixture screws 3.5 to 4.5 turns out from fully seated, so that's where I'll leave them. Would hardly run at a more standard initial setting of 1 to 1.5 turns.

On the brakes, it has 10" rear and 9" front drums. That seems an unusual combo. I'm wondering if this car had an axle swap, and that's why the gas tank got removed, because of a larger rear end that takes up the tank's former space? This diff has a large domed rear integral cover, oil filler is on the right (passenger side) front nose, a 9/16" square plug. Would a 273 Barracuda have come with such an axle? I can look for other identifying info.

Thanks all.

Andrew

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1964 Barracuda Commando 273 (friend's)

That suggests there's something else wrong.

Ahem: Have you checked for timing chain slack?
Not a factory combo. Not a safe combo, either. Very easy to lock up the rears and spin the car.
I can't think of any plausible rear axle swap that would interfere with the gas tank.
are there any bolts holding the rear cover on, or is it integral to the housing with no bolts?
Every '64 A-body came with a 7¼" rear axle with a 9-bolt rear cover.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

I know you've repeated the question, thanks for the thought: Is there any way to check the timing chain slack without removing the timing chain cover or removing the pan? I don't want to get that far into the engine really. These folks just want a car to drive Sundays, etc. If it needs too much they'll sell it and get something else.

I was just theorizing on why someone would remove a gas tank when the trunk floor and structure was fine, cut out the spare tire well, and install a cheapie fuel cell. I guess this could have been a drag car, but it really doesn't look like it was ever that serious.

The axle's rear cover is integral, welded as part of the assembly. The ratio seems low compared to what I'd expect stock; at freeway speeds the engine seems to be spinning pretty quickly, though it doesn't have a tach so I'm guessing. I could count driveshaft/axle revolutions. Or might there be a ratio tag like on a, pardon, Ford?

Andrew

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1964 Barracuda Commando 273 (friend's)

Very easy, see here.
Someone swapped in an 8¾" rear axle. These have a removable centre chunk that is secured to the front of the housing (that's where you'll find the studs and nuts holding it together) for quick ratio changes. Used to be a popular A-body upgrade because the 8¾" rear axle is nigh on bulletproof. The supply has dried up in recent years.
An inappropriately low (numerically high) rear axle would go along with a Ricky Racer fuel cell if the car spent time in the hands of a kid with big dreams and small brains. See here.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.