pumping accelerator to start

I have and 80 vette manual shift and I have to pump it several times to get it to start. I am guessing that it is leaking fuel into the engine. Thinking about buying a Eldelbrock 600 cfm. There is the smell of gas or oil after it runs for awhile. I know I have a few oil leaks.

Welcome to the forum. With the air cleaner cover off and the engine cold, pump the accelerator once and check to see that the choke is closing completely. If it's not, then it will need to be adjusted so that it does.

Since your 80 Corvette has a mechanical fuel pump, there is no fuel flow for a short time when first starting. If the car has been setting for a while the float bowl in the carb may be low or dry and it will take a couple of turns to get fuel into the carb. So if it does this after setting a couple of days turn the engine over a couple of time and slowly pump the accelerator a few times and then try it again, it should start right up. If it keep dying then your choke probably needs adjustment too.