you made it sound like the bigger carb was always flowing strong. like the idle was too high beacuse it was to big to flow the lesser amount.
i thought a small carb would flow from 0 to 350 cfm and a large would flow 0 to 550. i know its not 0 but close.
your post sounded like a samll carb would flow 0 to 350 and a large would flow 200 to 550. there by running rich in traffic and part throtle.
i feel there is a good chance my youth is showing through. please correct if i'm wrong.