[Tigers] Help!

[tym2 at comcast.net]

Tigers,

I have had an ongoing problem with my MK1A.
Some time ago, I did the car over an added a 5 speed and "built" 302.
The engine has Trick-Flow heads (I didn't paint them!), headers, Mallory ignition, and a not too hairy cam.
I'm using an Edelbrock 289 Performer manifold with a Carter Competition 650cfm carb.

Here's the problem:  I live in new England, and after the winter (especially) the car doesn't run even - sometimes it won't idle at low rpm.  I have a friend who is much better at the mechanical stuff than I am.  Yesterday, he removed the bleeder screws from the base of the carb and blew them out with a little compressed air while opening and closing the throttle.  It worked!

Evidently there is moisture somewhere and he thinks the throttle plates are freezing.  Are there different manifold gaskets I can get to allow a little heat to pass up there, - do I need some kind of base plate under the carb - or what?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.  Thanks in advance

--
Tym McDowell