I have been playing with my carbs all weekend and can't seem to get them dialed in.

Engine: 76 2.0 with hydraulic lifters dual Weber IDF's, 009 with Empi electronic ignition - stock rebuild about 5k miles ago.

When cruising at 3600-4000 rpm in 4th at about 65-70 car just loves it. Coming to a stoplight and downshifting once I get below 3k RPM I start to get pops and bangs.

This is a sign of TOO LEAN correct? Could it be my idle jets are dirty? OR?

Brian

I would check your idle jets it could definitely be that they are dirty. I just had a similar issue and that was the culprit.

Exhaust leak can cause popping

The old saying, popping out the back = rich, popping up the front = lean.

Exhaust leak for sure makes pops... Oh man, had a box van that ran awesome but scared the shit out of you every time letting off the gas at speed. BOOM Boom. Made everyone duck. Had to slip it into neutral before decel until the new exhaust.

Well CRAP!!! Found a missing exhaust stud....

Brian