Help with carb flooding.

If you do block that crossover, make sure to also block that heat riser wide open. Otherwise, you will create even more problems! Plus your choke (assuming stock) won't work right either with the crossover blocked.

Insulate the gas lines, & keep them away from heat if possible. Thick (1/2" or more) phenolic spacer under the carb would also help.

Clothespins aren't going to help. They never did.