Yes, it should be  17-19 normally.   Did this just happen or has it been like that all along?

Geoff---I honestly don't know how long it has been running with this low 15" vacuum condition other than probably FOREVER. The first time I put a vacuum gauge on it was 2 days ago. The 262 had been running very smoothly and seemed to have good power. But the fact that it has a 232 head apparently tricked me. It turns out the engine was running retarded and after counter clocking the dizzy, lowering the rpms, and tweaking the carb(s)A/Fs, it now has 18" and runs MUCH stronger. So the additional compression of the 232 clouded my senses (it's to blame, not my worn synapses ;-). This serves as a lesson on the importance of using accurate instrumentation. When flying Lears and/or driving Hudsons! Thanks for sharing the numbers ---they prompted me to take a closer look.