Best carb?

[Lattimer]

I know this is probably right up there with which oil is best, but I need some input on choosing a carb.

My truck has a 327, will soon be a 4-speed manual. Has and Edelbrock Torquer II and an Edelbrock 1406 carb (electric choke).

It runs great under normal driving, runs great at WOT. No stalling. Hesitates sometimes when the 4-barrels open, but not too bad.

Problem is that no matter what I adjust/clean/change, I can not achieve a consistent idle. Start the truck, warm it up, idles at 800. Drive 20 feet, idles at 1200. Drive 20 miles, idles at 600. Shut it off, start up again, idles at 1200.

I've been through the idle mixture procedure using both rpm and vacuum, and while I have leaned it out a lot at idle from where the PO had it, and increased idle vac to almost 29", I just can't get it to idle at a consistent speed. Can't locate a vacuum leak anywhere. Everything except the carb has been replaced in the 3 months I've had the truck.

I am very close to giving up on this POS and putting it on Craigslist. I considered pulling it apart and rebuilding it, but the last carb I tried that on never ran again (it was on a motorcycle). I don't know of anybody local I would trust to work on it, and FWIW I really like new stuff anyways.....LOL.


So, who prefers what carb, and why? I believe a rebuilt Q-jet is not an option with my manifold. Another Edelbrock seems like a poor choice.
I was looking at Holley, Demon, and Quickfuel on Summit and Jegs. Is one better than another? Downsides to any?

I'm really a newbie to carbs. This is the first non-motorcycle or lawnmower carb I have ever worked on. I'm slightly under 40, so its been fuel injection my whole life.....LOL

I've been reading a lot, but that doesn't always correlate to real world. Any advice is appreciated!