What cfm is the carb?With the color of smoke that is definately a rich mixture problem. The air valve on the Edelbrocks can be tricky to adjust. If it is not opening enough during hard acceleration then it will cause a lean condition.
There are three circuits on a carb; idle, part throttle, and wide open or hard acceleration. It would seem to be limited to the wide open circuit. I am not real up to speed on Edelbrock carbs but learned some about Carter carbs before Edelbrock bought them.
As for what others are saying...
"I am running a 1406 on my 73 with a 392. It runs great. It was quite rich stock and had to be jetted down. I am very happy with mine."
"I have jetted my 1406 lean and run it leaner than stock all the way to sea level. But it will cause is to act up it worked hard.
But I have never got it to run so that the pipes are not black and sooty. I have had them clean up with the Holley that came with the truck but not since running the 1406."
"One often over looked feature on these carbs is the springs under the metering rods. Many bogging and other problems like poor fuel milage can be cured by playing with the springs. Weaker springs give you better fuel economy, but may cause a slight bit of bogging. Strong springs give you less milage, a little more power, but can cause a little stumble if it gets too rich. Something else to consider and play with after you think you have the right metering rods."
So it sounds like your problem is a common one. Sounds like a mixture between jets and rods.
Do a search on "edelbrock 1406 rich carb" and see what people have been doing to cure your problem.
On a side note, I bought a BG Road Demon and after adjusting idle mixture and speed it is working perfectly right out of the box.
[This message has been edited by Aussie XAXB (edited 05-13-2006).]