[crazypete]

I second the tuneup (plugs, wires, cap,rotor). Everytime I've had a car with a higher rpm miss, it always turned out to be basic tuneup items.

For fuel issues: get a load of fuel injector cleaner and dump like 2-3 bottles into a single tank near empty then fill it up 2/3 to full. It MAY run a bit worse while the crap is loosened from the fuel system but then it will run like a champ. Then get the wicked cheap $1.50 cleaner and use one in each tank for a month or two. as a maintenece dose.

I found higher timing to be detrimental to detonation issues and made my car run a little lopey at high load. You should do all the tuneup stuff first THEN, when it's running well already, set the timing to 14 degrees for power (or even 16 or 18, whatever allows you to escape detonation. I got mine up to 20 degrees before the carb swap). Get a timing light. They're like 40 bucks and it lets you play around with the timing yourself over and over again without going to a shop. Just latch the magnet to the passenger side forwardmost plugwire with the engine running and point the light down at the balancer across from the smogpump. There will be a little arrow. You'll need to smear some chalk on the balancer to see the timing marks most likely. Then loosen the distributor bolt at the base of the distributor and rotate it while staring at the marks. Thats how you set the timing.

I've HEARD that some ATF in the oilpan clears up detonation and misses because ATF has detergents that clean out the engine from inside. Dont do that until someone seconds me on this though. Or be safe and get an official product in a can of engine flush, do an oilchange and then use that engine sealer additive.

Have fun!