[VWNate1]

I'm subscribed as I'm keen to hear the final solution .

I've had a few inline 6's that had vacuum leaks between the intake manifold and cylinder head but only from below ~ this meant burning my hands when I was testing for vacuum leaks with the engine running .

? Have you yet attached a vacuum gauge (cheap at pawn shops etc.) to the direct manifold vacuum ? . maybe tweak the rubber hose bits at both ends of the PCV line ? .

With 10 degrees initial advance (must be zero vacuum to the dizzy @ idle !) you should be getting 21" of vacuum steady as a rock if not more at hot idle .