I got everything re-assembled (had to replace the power steering pump as well, so I got that finished).

No fuel dripping down the barrels, carbs are balanced at about 900 rpm idle speed.

But - 1) Very hard COLD start, a lot of cranking necessary as it doesn't seem like it's getting enough fuel. Warm/Hot starts are fine though.
2) Smoke out the tailpipe - weird, as it was not doing this before my recent work (valve adjustment, new plugs, new wires and reworking through the Zeniths.
3) Still have some backfiring and lurching - off-idle/acceleration stumble. It some ways it's actually running worse with new plugs, wires, adjusted valves.

What gives?

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RG Newell

1984 300D
1972 250
1986 560SL
1991 300CE