I think I need to get a sync tool as I really could not judge too well between the pairs (perhaps they were close to start with?).

Venturies are 34. I did not brave removing the jets to see what was there - next time.

On to the anomolies:

a) When listening with the hose, there was a distinct tappa ... tappa ... tappa ... tappa sound that you could not hear without aid of the hose (valves need adjusting?) This sound was only from cylinders 3 and 4.

Hi:
a) You are placing the hose into the air runners. When I do this, what I think I am hearing is the explosion of the fuel inside the cylinder. If you are not hearing the noise from all 4 cylinders you are lean or have to much air, the butterflys are not all the way closed. 1st look inside at the butterfly to make sure they are closed (mirror). The balance between the carbs (left vrs. right) is based on the how equal the air in flows are.
Next you said that Cylinders 1 & 2 = no noise, try adding more fuel, (Mixture Screw for each cylinder) slowly to each till you hear the noise. The noise is then balanced to be equal on all 4 cylinders w/ fuel +/-.
Then work on balance for throttle connection between left and right carb. They need to open & Close at the same time, on my car about 15 HP difference when this correct.

Idle set screw is for balance between left carb and right carb. (= Air in)

You are looking for mixture screws.

Valves - you can check .008" stone cold cylinder head. That's is not what causing your noise. Valve tap is loud, no hose needed.

Sync tool I have one, its been in the trunk for a few years. Learn to use the hose. After a few tries you can balance and tune the cars for weather at the track in less the 5 min.

Venturies - 34mm = BMW 2002 ti + 1800 TISA race car setup, works with 300 degree cam nicely.

DON'T BOTHER WITH THE PLUGS.

Best of luck
K.C.K.
74 ti(i)

b)When disconnecting different plug wires, the RPMs dropped off the most when cyl 1 and 4 were disconnected. The order of difference from greatest to least was 1 4 3 2. I tried adjusting the idle mix to try and make it more noticable when 2 was disconnected but could not. Same with 3.

Questions beyond comments on a and b:

Is the idle setting screw (not idle mix) how you vary the amount air? Some of the items I have read talk about a balance screw which I think is a line between each throat which I do not have.

I did not run the engine on only cyls 1 and 2 and then 3 and 4. Would this be a worthwile exercise to adjust the idle setting (not idle mix) between the carbs?