Called Holley after the 2nd carb flooded all over...they were really nasty. Went back to AutoZone with it and they gave me on remaned by Tomko. I installed it...it started not too bad but every time I hit the gas it either stalls or backfires. Unfortunately, I can't work on it now...I have taken the fuel line off and on so much it is cracked and leaks. I don't know what to do anymore..I guess try a 4th carb??

I'd like to suggest that after 3 carbs, the problem is probably not with the carb at all.
1. Backfiring - could be retarded timing. I have also seen flooding with this condition.
2. Stalling - healthy vaccum leak.
3. Did you check the fuel pump?
4. Did you set the mixture screws at any point with these carbs or otherwise fine tune the carb?
Just a couple of ideas. Point being that the odds of three rebuilt carbs all being bad are pretty high.

I think it's strange too. However, the fuel pump is new and delivering the correct pressure. I have checked for vacuum leaks using soapy water and found none. In the case of the current carb, adjusting the mixture screw and idle screws changes absolutely nothing. Timing is at 6-8 degrees BTDC. What I can't explain is how each carb presented different problems. One of the carbs DID respond when changing settings. For one carb, the car absolutely would not start without a healthy dose of ether but ran great when warm. One would start great but severely flooded. This one starts OK but even when warm runs bad. The ONLY thing that has changed is the carb and each time something different results.

I was having problems with a Holley rebuild. I actually got one that was flat out poorly rebuilt.

The next one appeared to be fine but I had some similar problems to what you are describing including idle trouble.

I adjusted the fuel mixture. That helped alot.

The biggest improvement I made though was to change the fuel pump. My old one just couldn't cut it. A new one is about $15 from autozone, so it is worth a try.

Good Luck,

John Killin

Keep trying different carbs until you find one that works, as you know, the carb. needs to respond to the idle mixture screw adjustment.

Once you find one that basically works OK, you should do some "fine tunning" to get it to work well with your car and engine.

It is not realistic to expect a carb to work perfectly right out of the box, especially on a well worn engine. It is realistic to expect that the fuel / air circuits need to all work on carb you buy as new or "rebuilt".
DD