Yes, I'd like to know where there would be a puddle of fuel.

if you block off the crossover..what heats up the choke coil in the manifold..

It will take a while but eventually engine temp will take care of it.

Thought I would do a follow up - changed the Thermostat followed the procedure. Did not touch the secondaries at all mixture wise (1/8) and used the vacuum gauge on to get the center carb to max Vacuum. I was a doubting thomas - but I was taken back by it - so far so good.