340 has no balls

I said, "Assuming the engine is in good shape". Geez. If you don't know where you're at with the car, then you need to do some basic tuning.

Pull the carb, get a kit and rebuild it. Be careful setting the float levels. Get the timing adjusted. 10 degrees BTDC is whee I would start, then back timing out IF necessary. Every AFB I've had starts easy. A couple pumps and turn the key. I'll bet the idle mixture screws don't respond right because the float level is off. An AFB is a fine carb on a stock 340.

The shifting to third almost instantly is a kickdown issue. Make sure it's adjusted right and something's not loose. If it shifts WAY too early, that's your pinging problem AND a big part of the car being a pooch.