In regards to your fast idle issue, when you adjust the idle mixture screw, does it change the idle speed at all?
If not, you may have a significant vacuum leak somewhere.
If you ever want to demonstrate an extreme vacuum leak, pull the the vacuum wiper hose of of the intake. The engine will go up to around 1200 RPM.

1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission