x2 what Tom said about the hot water heat.
I live out here in Cali too, have an unheated Clifford but if I could I would heat it. It doesn't really run right til warmed up and it will act funny with fuel puddling in it.
Your metering block shows the idle mix screw with a depression around it, sometimes those are reverse idle, so turning them out will LEAN the mix, turning in makes it RICHER. Sometimes. Just have to try it but that could contribute to your problem.
Now on the holes-
In your pic, yup you found the PVCR holes, need to measure those.
Wire of known thickness can help, if youre off by a mil or two its no big deal.
The metering plate screws should NOT be loose in the bowl of course. You may need a new gasket so the plate has to come off anyway. A good phillips bit will work in those goofy things if you don't have the special tool. The main secondary "jet" holes are on the bottom edge of that plate. Looks like a "66" stamped on it, I don't have the specs on that plate so you'd just have to measure it.
Making progress though!
