I had the same issue but instead replaced the carb with a 38dgms.
My car ran perfect for 5 years but the carb started to deteriorate to a point where the car wouldnt idle and would backfire. I think it was just the carb being old and needing a kit put through it and a good clean as Eskie92 said
A vacuum leak could be why the mixture screw doesnt do anything. Usually if there is a vacuum leak then you will be able to block the top of the carb off with your hand and the engine will still idle
Ryan