Have 69 350. All stock. Has rebuilt 2bbl done in early 90's. Car has been in family but now mine so I know some of history but don't have lot of actual experience with car.
Smells like gas strongly when running. Especially on start. Car seems to run strong. No hesitation. Idle is good. Has good power. I checked choke adjustment and it seems correct. Idle adjustments also seem correct. It does blow a lot of carbon on start. Smokes some on start but clears pretty good when she warms up. Probably hasn't been for a good run of more than a couple miles in 25 years though. I
Take it for a good run. Check if the plugs a fueled up. Sounds like it is choking too much or perhaps the float bowl is sinking causing flooding. After sitting for 25 years it could most likely use a carb kit.
Plugs look great. Way better than I expected. It hasn't really been sitting. Used regularly just not for much.. I'm also wondering how old the gas is. I put a bout a third of a tank i recently but Ill bet it has been some time before that. Sounds like a good run is in order. burn some gas. Get it good and hot and see.
just fyi... I'm sure you know this already but.. lol.... my wife gets anywhere near my cars and she complains it smells like gas... . if all you ever drive is efi..... gas smells..
The carb baseplate has a plug that usually leaks over time. Just drips enough to give a rich idle and dark exhaust. The baseplate plugs are lead swaged and just all leak. Best remedy is to pull the plugs and reset with marine epoxy. Think the product is called marinetex. Seals it up and no more drips to ritchen and create the dark soot.
Also check out Cliffs high performance book, lays it all out. Or send him cash and he'll do It.
So it let the car warm up real good. Not easy on a cold day I might add. Notices some things. First exhaust cleared up when it warmed up. No carbon or smoke. But still smelled very "gassy". Idle was good. Very slight occasional stumble. Reved strong. But when I pulled it back into the garage I had to leave the doors open. Saw no leaks. No smoke. Seems to run good. Just smelly.
Also have my doubts about the air filter element. Has factory set up. Single snorkel that just pulls from engine compartment. Has the heat box connected and the vacuum lines to the sensor and then the hot air diverted when senses cold air. I have good vacuum pressure but I don't think any of that other stuff is doing much. The valve stayed open the entire time I was watching. And it was cold out. That doesn't really bother me except if it isn't working I would rather just take it off. What's the best way to seal off the vacuum? I just left it connected and it seemed happy but if I switch to open element in future will need to seal it anyway.