2nd. There is an alu dual plane intake on top. You guessed it. I suppose I shoulda posted that earlier. My bad.
3rd: I have a 'good' carb sitting on the passenger side seat. I'll toss it on and test I guess. (Gonna take the holley apart to check the power valve anyway... seems like a worthwhile project. I should research jet and squirter sizes while I'm at it)
4th:
Thanks for the thoughts, re:
" If you put an aluminum intake on its possible that the alignment holes in the intake for the dowel pins on the ends are not deep enough for the pins or not there at all.This could allow it to rock one way or the other and prevent one bank from sealing good. Just a thought to keep tucked away. Hope you get it straightened out so you can enjoy it."
-will look into that. God I really don't wanna take my intake off though, that's a *****.