Cam swap, fired once, now won't start

Toady I dropped the fuel pressure from 38-39 to 32 with the line connected. The idle got noticbly better. When I drove it, the car responded and drove much better. There is still the stalling at stop issue. When I got home I noticed the nut on the reg. was loose, probably didn't tighten it enough. Press. was back up to 39-40 psi., and the idle and drivability worsened. I ran out of time, so tomarrow I will lower it again. Next I will check the MAF meter. It's a C&L so who knows. I wonder if Laurel Mountain Mustang gave me the right sample tube? It has a red mark on it. I am going to try to clock the MAF, hopefully it will help idle. It won't idle for more than a few minuets before it surges to it's death. What about setting the idle higher? It surges from 1200ish - 300ish. Would raising the idle speed help? I am also going to check for warm engine vac leaks. What it the safest way to do this?