B&M Converter is bad

Ok, Im about to throw my hands up! Just so you know Im holding off on trying to time this car until I can get these resolved.

New issues and questions.

1st issue, I found a vacuum leak on the carb body today. Well actually it was around the top plate that bolts down for the floats. Initially I sprayed carb cleaner around the base of the carb and intake manifold and no leaks. Tonight for some reason I decided to check the entire carb. Sure thing, pretty much the entire fuel inlet side and front side of the carb leaks. Im ready to throw this thing out into the trash. I almost dont want to spend the money on a new gasket kit for the carb if its warped or something else.. Not sure if that will take care of it.

2nd issue, the idle bounces a couple hundered rpm as Im trying to time and tune it... Again not sure if its from the vacuum leak.

3rd issue, my timing fluctuates about 3-4* as Im trying to set the initial. Say I was trying to set it at 15* it will change from 12-15 if I start under the 15* mark or 15-18 if I start at the 15* mark. Although once I have it set and rev it up to check mechanical its nice and steady, dead on the mark. Again is this from a vacuum leak?

Now my questions.

1st When you guys have the vacuum gauge hooked up, does it bounce all over or is it a steady reading? Mine will bounce about 2-3 pounds when trying to adjust. Im just trying to figure out if that is from the vacuum leak or is natural.

2nd I need clarification on the idle screws to max vacuum. This is what I have been doing. Turn each screw out until I reach max vacuum. Then I adjust my idle to 800. The vacuum will drop. So I will turn them out again until max vac is reached and readjust my idle. I've done that 3 times and I get almost 3.5 turns out until I no longer get any more max vacuum.

Is that the correct way to do it or only do it once. Get the initial set and locked down, then turn idle screws out until max vac is reached. Then reset idle to 800 and be done with it?

Im taking a break from this car until I can see if I can find another carb to use and try on this car. That may or may not have been part of my issue.