Idle way rich
If it want 24-26, it will clean up the idle a bunch. Allow the carb blades to close even more and stick the thing strictly on the idle circuit.
Simple test, give the distributor a slight twist CCW at idle and see if it picks up RPM. If it does, it wants the timing.
Lowering the bowl level as little as 1/8 turn can have a HUGE change in how the engine runs at idle.
Good luck with it.