New carb problems (NEED HELP!!!)

[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