He insisted on over-carbureting the engine. Nothing short of putting one carb back on it is going to help much, but modifying the engine to come close to having a use for the carbs might help a little. I've seen this scenario play out many times since a friend back in high school in the early 1960's put 3 Stromberg 97's on a bone-stock 216 in a 51 Chevy sedan. The results are always the same.

"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!