i'm trying to track down a power loss problem and i noticed that my idle varies from 1000 to 750 pretty consistently, so i'm thinking i have an ignition problem, but it's raining and i figured i'd check to see if that much variation is within tolerances...

i dunno what else to check, my compression comes out to 185 in every cylinder, my timing is good, my fuel pressure is fine (carb'd), i can't find any reason my car is running as slow as it is (17.1), it revs fine in park, no stumbles, last year i ran 15.3 with only the primaries opening (forgot about the secondary lockout/choke thing on edelbrocks) and a th700r4

specs are a 350 block, 4 bolt main, ground and polished crank, xe268 cam installed straight up, edelbrock 650 on a performer intake, 64cc heads off a 350/350 crate engine, roller lifters, wheeler stage 2 rods, flat top hypers (10:1 w/64cc's)
it's backed by a th350 (rebuilt 3000 miles ago) with a b&m torque converter and the stock 3.08 one legger (i know, i know, but i can't see the rear causing me to lose 4-5 seconds alone)

what's it sound like to you guys?

 

If its wandering between 750 and 1000 rpms all the time, I would look for a vacuum leak.

 

thats another thing i'll have to look into, i was just thinking ignition because it seems to be wandering in a pattern, 1000,950,1000,950,1000,950,750,1000,950, etc

 

Carter-type Edelbrock or Rochester-type?

 

I'd second this.

 

If it isn't a vacuum leak pull the plugs. Look for oil deposits. A leaky intake manifold gasket mimics what you describe.