New carb problems (NEED HELP!!!)

[King Big Ben]

First off I'm still learning about how to fix and tune cars so have a little patience when it sounds like I don't know what I'm talkling about. I got this speed demon carb a few weeks ago and I've been trying to tune it thinking that the reason its not working properly is because it isn't tuned yet. The car is a 69 coupe with a 351w engine thats mostly stock. I havent seen inside it but im guessing its a stock cam, but i know it has an eldelbroc performer manifold and the carb is a 650 cfm speed demon w/ vacuum secondary and electric choke.
Anyway i was working on it and when i saw a giant 2 ft flame shoot out of that thing i figured its time to get some help. First off, it hates to start cold. I literally have to pump the gas about 10 times for it to start. I'm not an expert on this obviously but i noticed when i pump the gas the first 2 barrels (the ones closer to the cockpit) dont seem to do anything. the butterflies on the bottom dont open and no gas shoots out. The front 2 work fine, though. Even after the engine has been running those other 2 are still closed and theres no gas shooting out; condensation actually starts to build up in there. There's still an increase in power but it hesitates while i'm trying to get my rpm's up quickly (thats when the flames shot out). I wqas thinking that maybe there is a vacuum leak and thats why those first 2 barrels don't work. Also the engine seems to shudder a tiny bit while idleing.
Please help me i love my car and i hate not being able to drive it and I really don't want to ruin her engine .

Thanx in advance,
Ben

[Rev]

The vacumm secondaries (barrels closest to the fire wall) aren't supposed to do anything until the primary barrels have enough air flow creating venturi vacuum necessary to open those secondary butterflies. Only then will fuel begin to flow to the secondary barrels as the butterflies open.

The vacuum operated 4 V Demons only open the secondaries on an "as needed" basis. Also, the Demons are usually tuned reasonably well out of the box. At least well enough to run OK.

I'm wondering how the electric choke is set if you have to pump the gas that much to start it? Also, timing may not be right if you're getting those flames out the carb.

I would check timing (10-13 initial) and choke setting ( barely closed when cold) before I did anything else. Also, have a fairly big fire extiguisher handy as engine fires in the gareage are no fun (done that).

Rev

[King Big Ben]

I've noticed that the choke likes to stay open while im starting it...which isnt good right?
and those flames were probably a result from me doing the wrong thing...The engine was hesitating and for some reason i just decided to hold the pedal down and out they came for a split second...but i did have my fire extinguisher on stand-by.
so anyway i guess now i have a reason to buy a timing light. any suggestions on a good one? I have a friend who works at sears so i was thinking maybe a craftsman...even tho everything craftsman is always so damn expencive.. And can you check the timing without a tach or even a removeable tach? what i want to do ultimately is to buy the alternate set of guages for 69's that had an in-dash tach but i'm not sure where to get the right parts (year one doesnt have them for 69). I don't want to waste the money on something i might only use for a month or something and i don't like those ones you bolt onto the dashboard...even if they are better

Thanx for responding
-Ben

[rbohm]

first you have a lean condition when the engine is cold, thats why you are getting a backfire. you need toset the choke on it to where it is closed when the engine is cold. as stated you have a vacuum secondary carb, and the secondaries will not open untill you have enough of a load on the engine to where they are needed. you can tune the opening point by changing the spring in the vacuum actuator. as for the timing light, the craftsman one is good. you only need a tach to set the idle speed, not the timing.