fuel overflow

Sounds like a carburetor rebuild is in your near future. Freshen up the needle seats and gaskets. Keep a fire extinguisher handy in the mean time!

Ditto - replace the needles and seats, also double check your float levels and consider dropping them just a little lower to see if that helps. If you've been getting backfiring, consider changing the power valves too. My hot starts are a lot better now that the carb is freshened up (I also installed a phenolic spacer to keep the heat down), I'm waiting for the heat of the summer to see if everything is good, but so far in the cool spring weather it's better than last year.
You can get a Holley rebuild kit fairly cheap, and after I saw one torn down and put back together in under 1/2 hour, it doesn't seen so intimidating.

Agree with what's been said. Plus, there may be a reason up stream for the needle not closing, dirt. Do you have good filtration?

quote:

it is hard to start when hot

Until you get it fixed, the trick to starting when hot is flooring the pedal and keeping it there. That'll normally clear the intake of the excess fuel.

thanks for input, is a fairly new holley a couple years. but previous owner may have let sit over winter. will check primary float and needle.