Well I can now stop worrying, it wasnt so muc my inability to tune as a mechanical failure after all.

My low end would tune on the bench to get a reliable, if rough idle. I put it in the air and eventually start having dead sticks.

REcycle repeat..

Well yesterday, I did this, put it up, two loops later, dead stick.. HUH?!
Retune

OK, clunk problem, no.. Fuel line problem no..

Wait! my low end is CLOSED OFF!! How the heck that happen?!

Turns out, my low end needle valve has an O-ring on it that keeps the thing from turning, (and seals it I imagine from air bleeding in the other way). Guess what that black stuff I cleaned out of the needle valve access hole was??

The O-ring hasd finally completely given up, leaving my needle valve to walk its way right in till it closed up while the plane was in flight, presumeably caused by vibration...

I pulled it apart and will be procuring a new O ring today..

your lucky it tighten on you usually they loosen and fall out