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.