Mike, you are breaking in your new engine, right.  I'm sure it will give you even better performance as it wears-in.

That 52-psi is just fine, and you're right, ~60 would be my max.

Some things are well worth sacrificing gas mileage for.  Detonation from running too lean is tops on my list.  These carbureted engines aren't computer controlled, so our settings may stay the same, but the weather changes.  Some days your engine will run sweet.  All we can do is tune our adjustments within safe limits, then let it go.

Glad you set your oil pump up right.  Extra lubrication will pay off big dividends in the long run.

Dave

Royal Oak, Michigan (Four miles north of Detroit, and 12 miles NORTH of Windsor, Canada).  That's right, we're north of Canada.

Ford 292 Y-Block major overhaul by simplyconnected

Correction on the cold idle pressures:  45 psi cold idle and 52 psi cold 2500 rpm.  There is no sign of detonation with 89 octane mid grade and 6 degrees initial.  Plan to bump up initial a couple degrees and see what happens.  Spark plugs look perfect with a Mustang 2V 1.14 venturi carb/51 jets.  Comp. ratio calculates at 9.2 to 1, and I will have actual cylinder pressures soon.  Things are looking pretty good so far . 

Mike, located in the Siskiyou mountains, Southern, OR 292 powered 1946 Ford 1/2 ton, '62 Mercury Meteor, '55 Country Squire (parting out), '64 Falcon, '54 Ford 600 tractor.