Have you done a compression test?
Is the intake gasket leaking? Has the exhaust been modified?
It sounds like its too lean if you need to close the choke to keep it running.
Try opening the needles another 1/2 turn and hold the throttle slightly open to start.
Are you spraying gas into the carb to get it started?
Make sure your gas/oil mix is correct.
Also ... if you are using a pulse from the intake ... do you have inserts that go into the bolt holes on the carb? These inserts help line up the pulse hole of the intake flange to the pulse hole on the carb flange. There is a lot of play if you don't use inserts ... and the holes might not be lined up properly ...