NO go without Downshifting

it's got a 2bbl carb, i found the threaded rod and i threaded it in all the way and made no difference. i did see that it slides back and forth on the carb, should there be something there to hold it in one position? will try to post a pic. also not sure on mileage, previous owner said the 273 was rebuilt maybe 40,000 miles ago.

You theaded it in? As in making it shorter? You just made the problem worse. The rod needs to be longer for what you want. Get a factory service manual and adjust it properly.