Newbie in need of Carb Help....

Yeah, the line about being stationed away led me to believe that the car was sitting. Now that I reread it, you are right.

Anyway, have you taken the top of the air cleaner off and verified that the choke is closing? Press the gas once, and the choke should close. If it doesn't close, you need to figure out why. If it does close, hold it open with a screw driver and manually work the throttle. Is there gas squirting from the accelerator pump?

It is always more fun (read frustrating) to try and fix a problem then to start throwing new parts at it!!!