Personally, I wouldn't track any reverb with the VH. Or the lead vocal. If you are doing this by mixing down tracks, record those dry, then add the reverb afterwards. Still a bit phasey (if you have any chorus on the VH, take it off!) and wet for my tastes...
You have to remember what period music you are doing, too. Back in those days, you'd have had a reverb chamber. I don't think even plates were widespread then. But slapback echo was all over the place.
It's a good idea to have a close listen to the original records, and try to figure out what vocal treatment they are getting. A lot of 50's stuff, it's just some slapback and that's it. It helps keep the lead out front. Another good trick is to have LESS reverb on the lead voice than on the backing vox. That helps put the lead front and center.
If only they labeled reverb as 'distance'! That might help a lot of people visualize what they are doing. Adding reverb pushes something BACK in the mix. Now, that's great with strings, or backing singers, but you wouldn't EVER set up your band (if you had one!) with the singer behind everybody else... but that's what making the lead too wet does!
One more thing you might try doing... Seeing as how you can do overdubs, how about recording the lead take AFTER you have done everything else? That way, you can be ALL attitude and energy, without having to worry about playing anything or pushing buttons. That's how the big dogs do it..!
Keep it up! Every mix you ever do is a learning experience.
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