[Chaplin]

Randy-
Two thoughts: First, with respect to running rich at idle, have you ever checked your vacuum reading at idle and which power valve you have in the carb? Your power valve should be 2 numbers below your vacuum reading, i.e., if you have 8"/hg of vacuum at idle, your powervalve should be a 6. If you have a very lumpy cam, chances are you are not developing a lot of vacuum and if you have the stock power valve in the carb (which is likely a 6.5), the power valve could be opening at idle and dumping excess fuel into the idle circuit. I had this same problem with my carb. Once I measured the vacuum and found that I only had about 5.5" of vacuum, I dropped the power valve to a 3.5, the idle cleaned up immediately. I'd check your vacuum and power valve.

As to being able to start the car by popping the clutch, does the car not turn over when you turn the key or does it turn over with the key but not start? If it won't turn over with the key, I'd bet that you are having a problem with heat soke on the starter. If you had a problem with the carb, I don't think it would start regardless of whether you turned the key or popped the clutch.