Lol, sounds like quite a day! If you can purchase a rebuild kit fairly cheap- you might want to try it your self- plenty of Youtube videos to help, and pay attention to the different settings for floats, etc. Just pay attention to where the parts came from, place them in an easily to remember order, and have a couple cans of carb spray on hand. You will also want some small dia wire or super small drill bits to use as cleaners/ reemers. Do not overtighten screws, it will come back to haunt you - a good snug is what is needed. If you dont want to mess with it, do some checking with local shops and see if anyone can do it there.

As far as the engine staying running - was it dieseling or actually running at same rpm- no hesitation? If dieseling- that's to be expected with all that gas going in the carb like you say. If no hesitation and same rpm like no key was ever turned off- that sounds like a bad ignition switch. Try a quick squirt of wd-40 in there and cleaning it before replacing it.

thanks sleddog.
I am still debating attempting a rebuild on the Holley, In the meantime right or wrong i bought a cheap BBC quadrajet and have pulled it apart for a good cleaning. Depending on how that goes will determine what i do with the Holley. I did watch lots of videos on rebuilding the Holley vs the quadrajet and the quadrajet just looked a little simpler to me. Thanks for rebuild tips.

As far as the engine staying running after I turned the key to off. I had a high compression SBC when i was young and that car clearly dieseled after shutting it off. The Firebird did not run even remotely like that. The rpms and the way it was firing did not change at all to my ears. It was actually running not half bad considering the amount of fuel going in. Brand new fuel pump btw. I will try the WD40 in the switch but this isnt the car i am going to restore its just to yard drive.

Any tips on setting the proper float level on the quadrajet? I already got a fuel inlet 90 degree bend adapter and a square-bore to spread-bore adapter.

Oh I hope nobody bashes me but i just scored a complete power disc brake set up off a 72 chevelle. I am pretty excited about the score.

Just watch the main primary shaft- if its worn and wobbling it can cause havoc in your rebuild.

Keep us posted.

Craigslist score today.2 skins for $125 bucks

So the BBC quadrajet i bought for 75 bucks has been completely disassembled and thoroughly cleaned. I chose to try reuse all internal parts and gaskets. I wanted to see what would happen investing in only a new internal filter. The inside of the carb didn't look bad at all to me. The gaskets will eventually need to be replaced. This is my first 4 barrel rebuild ish and my first quadrajet. I read forums and watched videos and was able to get it back together and on my 350. Swapped around vacuum hoses and zip tied throttle linkage. This is just to yard drive. Took a little cranking to get the fuel through but it started up. Actually ran pretty good and most definitely better then the Holley sprinkler. I was able to drive the car under its own power in and out of the garage a few times to test the trans, So much better then pushing this car by myself. Also the motor is not smoking like it did last year.

I had an oil pressure scare though because i bought a new eBay Chinese oil pressure gauge. It was reading between 90-100 psi when cranking. So i bought a mechanical gauge off ebay. Was relieved to see around 40 psi. So don't but this Chinese gauge.