If your Mom's Solex is warped, it is better off being made into a boat anchor. Otherwise with proper rebuilding it can be saved by a little work and will save you $500. It is not a complex carb at all to work on. But again, if it is in bad shape and the 116 is in good shape otherwise, go for a Weber or Rochester. Rochester is my pick.

Just wondering. Why do you want to block all the "tubes" to the carb? Which carb? And does your car have emissions?