Make sure the manifold boots are not cracked and letting air into the fuel
air mixture!(see picture below)
Make sure the manifolds themselves are not loose.

http://www.ramva.org/funkie/1973SB/dp_riser1.jpg
look at what the red arrow points to!



--
DANIEL MEDINA
"Swanee" > wrote in message
ups.com...
> First I am not a car person. I am a Carpenter so this is a little new
> to me. I pull the Beetle out of a makeshift garage. It has been sitting
> for about seven years. I changed the plugs, wires, ignition coil,
> distributer cap, drained what little gas was in the tank out, and
> stared her up. Now she runs but she is coughing and back firing. I
> drove through one tank of gas thinking it might clear itself up. That
> didn't happen. I changed the, carburetor, the fuel filter, and the
> fuel pump, I think I have taken care of a lot of the problems, but it
> is still back fires and coughs really badly.
> Other things that happen are she has no power and loses speed when
> you hit any hill, drastically. When trying to take off in first I have
> to give it a lot of gas to get moving or it will sputter and stall.
> Any hints would be appreciated greatly!!!
> Thanks
> Swanee
>