Check that the vacuum advance is connected to the proper port. This is real common with Edelbrock carbs. The vacuum advance should not be connected to the passenger side port (ported vacuum). It should be connected to the driver's side port (manifold vacuum), which is about the same amount off center on the carb on the other side, and a little lower. That could do it right there.
Check to see if the choke is working. Take off the air cleaner with cold engine and note position of choke plate. Turn ignition on (no need to start engine) and observe choke plate. After about 5 minutes, the choke plate should open fully. If choke does not open fully, check choke electrical connectors for 12 volts whenever ignition is on.
Check ignition timing. With the vacuum advance disconnected and the hole in the carb plugged, 12* BTDC at idle should be a good timing number to start with.
Check the idle mixture. Screw the idle mixture screws in all the way (not tight!), then back out two turns. Start the engine and set the idle to 700 rpm. Back the screws out 1/4 turn. Faster or slower? If faster, back them out another quarter turn. Keep repeating until it runs slower, then turn them in 1/2 turn.
If none of those do it, check the float levels. For this you will need gaskets:
http://www.jegs.com/i/Edelbrock/350/1499/10002/-1. Adjust the float levels per page 8 of the Edelbrock carb manual:
http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive_new/mc/carbs_acc/pdf/carb_owners_manual.pdfLet us know how that stuff works out.
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