The center ports on each side are the "exhaust cross-over" that was intended to provide heating for the carburetor. It provides an exhaust passage across the engine from head to head beneath the carb. There is a "truck" gasket available that has a steel restriction at these ports - to limit the amount of heating and many use it for their passenger cars as well.Try plugging the PCV inlet to the carb - see if that stops some of the "over speed" situation. If it does - you may need to find a smaller PCV - or orfice it down a bit (which is what I did).