The choke cables were the problem with the difficult first start. The PO had installed the round tops, and also put a mounting plate under the center console to strengthen the choke lever attachment. However, the mounting plate was actually catching on the screw holding the choke lever, keeping the lever from moving more than half way. I don't think it would ever go all the way forward, either. I was told that this was just the way it was when switching to the round tops while using the flat top choke cables and lever. A little playing around with the nozzles showed me that they never went all the way down when the choke was on. In fact, they barely moved. Basically all the choke was doing was moving the throttle plate a bit. I had to take apart the center console and trim the mounting plate for clearance. I've now got full range of motion on the chokes and the cables are set right.
As for float levels, I set them using some clear tubes attached to the drain holes. Set them so that the fuel is 23 mm below the top of the float bowl with the car running. Is that right? Maybe it's too low, because now that I can actually use the chokes, I discovered that pulling the chokes on just a little will cure the the feeling of missing or stuttering at constant throttle between say 1800-2500 RPM. Noticing this, I turned down the nozzles a half turn (now at 3 full turns down), and it runs perfect. Maybe I'll get the colortune out and see what it looks like now, but I hate to mess with it any further.
As for the oil in the carbs, I found several recommendations for 20w-50 oil. On a whim, I switched it out for 3 in 1 oil, which also gets lots of recommendations and is definitely lighter weight. Not sure it makes any difference. I think the real difference was getting the chokes working right and getting the mixture set better.
Any other thoughts are appreciated. Always helps to have another brain or two! Thanks everyone.