Classic over carburetion problem?

It sounds like you don't have alot of experience with this stuff - not having a compression tester or timing light suggests you've not spent time learning about tuning. And that's not a judgement, just an observation. Now's the time to get started. Buy the basic tools, learn how they work, and make small changes. I am by no means as knowledgeable as many of the folks here, but I have learned that SMALL changes in timing, float levels, idle mixtures, etc. can make a BIG difference, as well as help you learn what settings make what changes. Get that Holley book and learn how a carb works so you know what you're adjusting. You should have no trouble running a vacuum secondary.

After a while, you can be the one that can offer advice to the next guy.