It's the early on that has frustrated most users. When you don't know what the problem is, how can you fix it. I had an ECU go bad in an EFI unit. How do you trouble shoot something like that. Had to send unit back to Mfr. to have it fixed. It only quit working when hot, ran ok when cold...
The only bad side of carbs now is the cost of them. They used to be roughly $200 and now around $500 for the better ones. Just remember a tow home maybe $100 plus.
If you don't want to get towed home stick with the carb. The only good EFI is the one from the AUTO Mfr. that is installed on your car. 05 Ram 20 years old never failed me. 2 strikes against aftermarket EFI and 2 different types and Mfr's..
And don't forget about the fuel pump not being able to deliver enough fuel required to supply when going up a hill. Is the fuel pump electric or mechanical? A lot of things to trouble shoot.
To block the exhaust ports I used allen screws, just make sure they are short enough so they don't protrude. I did it about 30 years ago so don't remember what thread size, but it did work out well for me.
I had a 71 Duster 340 I bought new, and although it had an ashtray cigarette lighter, it just had a hole in the console for a lighter but didn't come with one.
Are you having any driving issues? Like running out of gas at high speed? If not, maybe the gauge is inaccurate. I have 2 Walbros in 2 cars and very good. 1 in F.I. car and the other in a carbed car and both cars have a regulator.
It was available in 74 with the 4 speed, so probably with the 360's, console was all the same just top lid was different. 75 they came out with the overdrive so console would still be available.