It's been my experience with a couple sotvebolt engines that fuel puddleing in the manifold below the carb is an indication of either an improperly set float or the float is stuck open or theres not enough compression. The float issue is an easy fix but you may not want to tackle it just yet.
Pull the valve cover and observe the valve train while cranking, making sure all valves are opening and closing.
Then do a cold valve adjustment, 0.006 intake, 0.12 exhaust,
If you have a compression tester go straight to that and test all cylinders. You want every cylinder to be at the very least 90 psi and all within 10% or so of the other cyl's.
It'll save you some time and give you a good indication of the condition of your internals.
Good luck
