Edelbrock 1406 whistling

Latest heads up, fellas.

First, the studs won't go on the outer holes, because the spreadbore gasket won't fit anything but the inner holes (bingo on that call, JD).:)

Second, I bought new gaskets, flipped the stack to the correct position (manifold-spreadbore gasket-steel plate-squarebore gasket), and dropped the carb on. It does not rock on the stack, and a paper strip would not pull out, either.

I tightened (snugged) it down, hooked it up, started the car, and it REALLY ran like ****, worse than before. It even backfired several times through the carb.

So, I said f*ck it, and pulled it all off. I put the old, original Edelbrock gasket back on (flipped, of course), and put it all back together. Now, it runs crappy like before, and still has that low-grade whistle. Sprayed carb cleaner at the base again, and the leaks are in the front. pass side and some of the rear base...none on driver's side.

I'm thinking of buying a new, thick Ede gasket off line (like the one on it now), and see if it makes any difference.

I'm starting to feel like all this **** isn't worth it, and should go out and buy a Chevy. :D

Rob