So mixed news! After taking apart the carb, cleaning out the idle circuitry and reajusting the idle mixture screw to one and a quarter turns she was finally purring nicely at idle. I'm embarrased to admit that through all this I found a vaccum port the size of a small planet running straight to the manifold that I neglected to plug up. I got her out of the shed and took her for a proper spin for the first time which was very rewarding.
Also got the new aluminum spark plug tubes in and a fresh PCV valve installed, despite the old one looking mostly fine.
Throughout the week she started to deteriate and the idle problem creeped back, and I'd be stalling every time I'd coast to a stop on the road.
After retesting for vac leaks with the old soapy water spray bottle trick (pictured) whilst spraying compressed air into the intake, I discovered a worsening leak on the intake manifold gasket. I'd literally replaced the gasket a week prior so really didn't expect this to be an issue. I did't use any gasket sealer, as non of the litrature on the engine mentioned it (and frankly I didn't know it existed) but after talking to some local buddies they recommended it. What do you think? I've sanded the aluminum face of the intake as flat as I could (pictured) to remove any pitting on the surface, and torquing the bolts any tighter doesn't seem to have an effect.
Anyone who's had their 4k intakes off know they come in two pieces and the gaskets are wierdly combined with the exhaust ports and the intake ports, and come in two serperate pieces for each end. I think there are some aftermarket ones that come as a single piece.
On a different topic, the bottom of the door panels are really starting to crumble. I will work on getting a clear picture up soon. I've got no experience with metal work, so I'd would have to be a shop job if it were to be patched up. I've seen some decently priced door skins available though, so might it be more efficient to replace the entire thing? I'm really not sure of the work involved on those, but each time the door opens more bits fall off haha.
Any recommendations or wise words would greatly be apprecitated, thanks! 😁