thanks for the solid advise, I always appreciate it.
I am 99% sure I have it all figured out now and will be back on the road tomorrow. I installed the inline fuel filters and new pressure gauge and i also filled the tank with good gas to dilute any bad gas that may be in there still.
I also accidentally over tightened one of my carb studs so the threads gave in at some point and it was just sitting there loose when I checked it. I am assuming that when I tried to start it I had some air getting in there as well also causing it to not run right.
Once I get a helicoil in there tomorrow, along with a new carb gasket, I think shes going to run great!.. well I hoping anyways lol
Well I got my helicoil in today and put the carb and linkages back on went tried to fire it up.. unfortunetely it ran the exact same as it did when this all started. It was hard to start and wouldn't stay running unless I really hit the gas.
I decided I would try to adjust my float bowls to less fuel and see what happens. I adjusted both the primary and secondary quite a bit and it was actually getting easier to start and required less of me ramming down on the pedal to keep it running.
At this point i finally remember to check the fuel pressure on my new gauge i just installed and it was 8.5psi. Now I'm pretty sure all this poor running was cause my too much fuel pressure flooding the float bowls. Holley recommends 6.5 I think and the maximum is 7psi.
I already have a fuel regulator (just have to get fittings for it) that I'll be installing tomorrow so I can set it to a better psi.
Although today didn't go my way I have good feeling tomorrow will finally be the day that I get this thing going good enough to take it for a good drive .