Maybe it's as simple as the throttle cable sticking in the cable housing... Always check the stupid stuff first.
I have made the uneasy transition from EFI to carb. I always had trucks with the 22re and had that stuff all figured out and a couple years ago I got a 1980 4x4 for $250. It had some cobwebs including rebuilding the carb. Keep after it because after you start to get the carb setup you will find you can always limp it home no matter what.
