To answer some questions...
The color is a light blue metallic (only one I've seen so far). Seems to be a common color among the Dodge imports of that era (Colt etc.)

Yeah... crossing fingers that it's carb related. I was able to find a Mikuni / Chrysler students reference manual from around that time and am reading up on the carburetor and the functions of the different components. There are a couple troubleshooting tips in there as well as the ones that you all have posted.

Traveling this week...so I'm studying up on the carb and checking the board when I can.

The previous owner also threw in a brand new ceramic coated header that he was going to install. He also planned on doing the Weber conversion.

There's alot to digest here and I'm glad that I have this resource available.

Is that Weber carb that much better...and would I need to do that in order to use the header?? He made it sound like I would.