If the plugs are wet, It's probably running too rich. When you say you've cleaned the carbs, did that include complete disassembly, soaking overnight in carb cleaner and after that blowing out all passages with compressed air? Some of those older carbs had brass floats that would develop small holes in them and would fill with fuel and sink causing flooding of the motor. How is your idle mixture screw adjusted? I believe it's right in front on top. I'd screw that in until it just bottoms out and then start by screwing it out 1-1/2 turns. That's a good point for getting the motor to start and they you can adjust a little at a time to get it running erfectly. Are you getting good spark to the plugs? You can pick up a spark gap tester at an auto parts store for under $10. Set the gap at about 3/8" and make sure you're getting a strong enough spark to jump that gap. If it's a pull start, you'll need a helper. Basically, you have to have good compression on all cylinders, a good fuel supply and a good spark to make these thing go.