I have the Pertronix Flamethrower II ignition and coil in my boat. A new Holley carb, 1" plastic spacer, Edelbrock intake. I used to to have the hard starting problems but since I installed the new carb back in June all those problems are gone. I haven't had a starting issue for over 2 months. I use the boat a lot, teach kids to ski, pull tubers, and slalom. Don't spend the money messing with a 20 year old carb. Buy a new one and be done with it. $300 on e-bay. I was a mechanic for 30 years in the Air Force and I rebuilt my old carb but I still had the starting and idle issues. I fought it since i bought the boat 6 years ago. All those times fighting an engine that wouldn't start in the middle of the river are over.
The high octane gas you are using probably contains more ethanol wich will evaporate more quickly than regular gas.
FYI the plastic spacer was worth 500 RPM and 2 mph on top end.
agetech
89 Comp
Restored to "Better than New"