Wasn't the original complaint that the carburetor wouldn't idle. Isn't the only purpose of the vacuum hole in the base to allow manifold vacuum, or lack of it, to signal the power valve to stay closed, or to open. This valve injects additional fuel into the carburetor under low vacuum conditions...heavy load/throttle conditions.
Unless the little port was blocked and dumping excess fuel into the rig at idle, which would stall it out, then having this covered wouldn't be the main suspect in a no idle situation...would it?
If it wouldn't idle because it was way over rich...flooded to death, then you would see black smoke and smell raw gas. This is how I understand it.
Stuart
