Well, the ballast resistor bypass should help with the spark. I removed the outer carbs just in case there was some sort of vacuum leak. Also allows access to the idle adjustment screws on the center carb. I rebuilt the carbs and like you its been a long time since I messed with Rochesters so disassembling the carb was just maninly to check my work. I'm quite sure I installed the aluminum ball during the rebuild so I might have lost it while emptying the carb of fuel during disassembly.

Thanks for the help.