It ran OK until about a year ago, then progressively got worse. At first I could start it but had to crank it a lot and pump the pedal 2-3 times or more then it slowly fired up. Then I realized I was pumping the gas too much when I saw black carbon marks at the tail pipes on garage floor. I had recently reinstalled the original 383 manifold with a new holley carb (it did run some after that for a while). Now when I try to start it, I'm afraid to pump it more than once to avoid wet plugs. After I realized it was flooding, I replaced the wet plugs with new ones (but it has not fired at all even before that). I have been checking each time to see fuel is being delivered from the accelerator pump, but only pump once or 1-1/2 times. I try to start it every once in a while after replacing the items I mentioned. I have had the car since 1969. THANKS!

(I don't know if I'm replying with the quote right -- this may be redundant, I will have to see how it looks, sorry)