Personal opinion(from experience)..............you are chasing the wrong problem!
I dont think the ditch has anything to do with the current problem, I think its caused by the current cold weather we are suffering.
The carb fitted to the sammy is basically overcomplicated and crap. It suffers from everything, including CARB ICING.
pop the bonnet, and check the flexible metal pipe that comes from the exhaust manifold shield to the airbox is fitted, not adrift, and not split.
Then check if the little 'T' piece valve on the air intake is set to recieve hot air from this pipe, or if its drawing cold air from the inner wing area.
If you ensure the carb is fed with warm/hot air from the manifold, I guess your poor running will go away.
Usually, if you do suffer from carb icing, if you let the truck stand for 20 mins, the carb will defrost, and usually restart(unless you have flooded it trying to get the POS started)