Hmm!
I assume you are talking about the larger fuel supply hose (about 1/2") going from the vaporizer over to the side of the mixer?

I took that off at the connection elbow, at the mixer and I couldn't feel any vacuum "draw" at all while cranking the engine over. However, the throttle might have been at idle during this test. I'll go back and check this again.

On the distributor, I have verified that there is spark, although weak, while cranking. I determined number one cap terminal from a marking on the cap. Removed number one plug and rolled engine over with wrench til timing mark is at TDC and verified, with a screw driver thru spark plug hole, that #1 piston is at top of stroke. (I was going to take valve cover off to confirm this is the top of the compression, not the exhaust stroke, but the rigid water lines have to be removed to get that off. )
This distributor is solid state with the coil built in and under the cap. Parts house can only get a complete distributor, replacement reluctor and modules not being shown. Vacuum advance works ok. Cap and wire are in good condition. To verify spark, I put a plug into the #1 wire and grounded it while cranking. Weak spark but still there.

I'm going to go back and take compression readings again today to see if I'm still getting the 190# that I got before I purchased this fork lift.

Steve