Just joined the site. It has been a few years since I have done much FE work so I am a little rusty. If this car is having trouble at idle and also has a transmission problem is it possible that it has a vacuum line leaking. If it is a larger line near the carb you can usually hear it whistle but if it is near the transmission modulator you won't. If the car will idle with the choke partially closed it means there is  vacuum leak or lack of fuel thru the carb. With the motor running spray all of the vacuum lines and around the base of the carb with carb cleaner. If there is a vacuum leak the motor will change RPM's when you find the leak. Be carefully not to spray the cleaner on plastic or the cars finish.