For starters, I am just leanring about the 351-400. I myself am gonna junk my timeing and distributor set up and put in one that suit me. I have heard that Ford set the 400(I do not know if the 351 does or not-probably do) at 4 degrees BEFORE TOP DEAD CENTER---WHICH would set the power way off.I have had alot better luck with a point distributor and feel(myself) that the point has more power. I am looking forward to this summer to tear into the 400. I am sure it will run alot better and better gas mileage then what Ford has put in it.If Chevy got descent mileage out of a Blazer--I am sure us shade tree mechanics can do the same to the 3561 and 400. Take a good look at the distributor and look for a short also and the fuel system. For leaks,dirt in the lifuel filter,carb,the carb pump--The carb pump would be the first thing I would check . Take it and look for a leak before you take it off. If it leaks-maybe the screws are loose,maybe the little carb pump is bad. It copulkd be a bad carb gasketWrite the things down and as you check them-check them offGood luck