EGR Valve and Vacuum Advance Testing

[cgrossl]

I just bought a 1985 Chevy Custom Delux with a 305 in it a few weeks ago. Ever since I have bought it, it has had a hesitation at tip in. So, I immediately started looking for vacuum leaks. So far, I have replaced most of the vacuum lines because most of them have dry rot in them. Some were broken and fell off of their connections. All of this has helped, but the hesitation is still there. So, I hooked a vacuum pump to the EGR valve and I found that it had a slow vacuum leak. Is this normal? I wouldn't think that it would be, but I don't really know. I also tested the vacuum advance canister. I can't get it to hold any kind of vacuum at all. Just as soon as I get done pumping, the gauge goes right back down to zero. I wouldn't think that this would be normal either, but I am just checking to be sure. Is this normal?

I am thinking that I need to replace the EGR valve and the vacuum advance canister. Would everyone else concur? Or, can I get rid of the EGR system (no emissions testing here) all together and still run on 87 octane gas?