Acceleration hits a dead wall

To check pressure install a "T" fitting between the pump and carb, and connect to a pressure gauge. At idle should have between 3 1/2 and 5 lbs.

Yep - just installed one so that I could get a solid metric on what the fuel pressure was at. Looks to be at 3.5lbs at idle after just starting it up.

Good call on the cam lobe wear. I have no idea how many miles are on this 225.

So my question is ... is 3.5lbs of pressure enough? I notice when I punch the throttle the pressure doesn't change (not sure if it should though)

If I was to install an electric inline pump like this one before my gauge, maybe that would be a quick low-budget test for the fuel pressure issue?