I just got a great '73 with a 350 and 4 barrel, original.
It is a little hard to start if it's cold (has manual choke) and the auto trans is a little soft and hesitant on acceleration.

I'm thinking of getting a shift kit and also considering my options for replacing the carb if anyone has some advice. I don't want to spend a fortune and I know that sometimes installing a new carb requires also adding or replacing other components that are connected to the carb, but if I could get a better running car, more dependable and more power then hey, I'm all about it.

Thanks for your help. Tommy

I can tell you that one of the best things I have done for my elky was install an edelbrock 1806 carb. I ran quads for years & could never get the choke to work quite right. The 1806 has an electric choke that works great. It changed the whole driveablity of the car. Also the car is more responsive & gets better gas mileage.
I put a shift kit in the th350 6 to 7 years ago. It was easy to install & makes the auto alot more fun to drive. Shifting is firm & instantaneous.