Originally posted by AMGRacer
You cant rely on those numbers to set the needles, several of my engines have run well far away from those settings you mentioned.
The too rich low end disguises the lean top end. At idle the motor loads up and provides excess fuel which is why you are seeing blue smoke. I have had the exact issue I am describing and it never looked lean.
Do the pinch test I provided above first. If this is OK, then richen up the top end so when you pull WOT it does not pull maximum RPM then start leaning it again while checking performance on the track. Run it for a while and check the temps. If this is all OK then you likely have some form of mechanical issue.
If your fuel system has a problem it generally makes the car run lean and your temps should keep getting higher.
I totally agree with AMGRacer. Everything you described points to a too rich bottom end and too lean top end. Lots of blue smoke shows on acceleration tauts that the engine is running rich bottom end. Try taking the HSN out to 5.25 turns and the low needle in to 2.25 turns (which mine are set at). It may still require minor adjustments at these settings as each carb will work differently because of several variables.