Am I wasting my time

That all depends on several things.

1. How much of the carb needs to be replaced with new parts.

2. Do you have the expertise to rebuuld it properly

3. How far will you be into it $$$ ,wise VS buying reman or new?

4. Whats your time worth to you.

I have a fr iend who swears by holley carbs, me i personally hate them. Get a new edelbrock AVS with electric choke, set it , and forget it. Easiest carb to tune, and do metering rod changes to.

Hope this helps
Matt