Thanks for the responses guys... I think my problem may be fuel related because I got the car to start by removing the fuel check valve. I took it out and put the hose from the carb going into a glass jar. As soon as that hose was disconnected the engine seemed like it wanted to start. After a few tries I got the engine to run... after about 10 seconds of running fuel started coming out of the hose. I put it all back together and it is starting ok now, but still feels a little hesitant even on warm starts. I have to give it a little throttle to get it to start which I never had to do before on warm starts.
Now I think there may be some electrical problem somewhere because when the engine is running, alternator output voltage is about 14.5, but shutters and drops for an instant very frequently. Using a voltmeter I see the voltage jumping around... I've seen 9, 5, 4, and even as low as 1 volts. It is jumping constantly and at no point is holding 14+ volts for more than a second or so. I get the same reading at the battery, but about 13.6 V when the engine is running... it also is jumping around and I see the same drops to low voltage while the engine is running.
I tried to adjust the tension on the belt but that didn't seem to make a difference. It is an old belt but there are no cracks... there is about 1.5-2 cm of deflection when I press hard with my finger on it. It probably should be replaced but i'm not sure if this is my irregular voltage problem. What do you guys think?
Again as for the starting issue I don't think its electrical, I didn't touch any electrical stuff to get the motor to start, all I did was remove the fuel check valve and its hose, start the engine, then reattach it. It is as I said starting ok now if I give it a little throttle.