leaning out the carb - black crusty plugs

[LoFrontier]

changed the topic a little. didn't want to start another "help me fix my poor truck" thread

this is a little frustrating. the truck I bought for a winter driver won't run well.

truck starts up and idles just fine. when you hit the road it has NO power. It struggles to get up to 45mph and will bog out when you hit the gas.

it's a carb'd '86 2.3l

I suspect it's running a bit rich. I put new plugs in but was lazy and didn't gap them (yeah, I know) That's the firs thing I'm going to fix. Has a brand new fuel filter. I'll check the timing. Maybe that'll help. I just hope it's not a problem with the carb.

any helpful hints???