Single plain intakes for small engine with FI

IDK any answers,
but many years ago I installed a dinosaur 3-dial Holley TBI onto my otherwise stock 1973 318 using a Weand small-port Excellerator.
I'll never do that again.
I pulled it off, and put a big TQ, onto a matching small-port iron intake, which with very little work, worked very very well. I ran it like that for more than 13 years.

IDK which component was the culprit; I gave it back to the seller.
I still have the Excellerator.