Would this be the problem

I had/have a problem with very high speed idle which is also having everything heat up very fast. The consensus here was an air leak. I took the carbs off again and here's what I found but I'm not sure if this is causing the problem. The rubber boots from carbs 1 & 2 are nice and soft and pliable. The boot on 3 is very stiff on one side the the other side is getting that way, the boot from carb 4 is hard pretty much overall. I figured since the carbs were out I replaced all the vacuum hoses since I didn't know how old they were and some were splitting at the tips.

Questions
1) I'm assuming they should be flexible and so could this be causing my issue? also what would casue these to harden??
2) The boots on 1 & 4 had the spring clamps but 2 & 3 didn't. Are they important or should they be OK without them?

Thanks for the help and suggestions.

Would double-check ignition timing. Use F marks -- not T marks. Assure advancer is operating properly. Use strobe-type timing light.

Air leak problem is typical issue with carb holders (between carb and engine) and not with hoses from airbox to carbs.

Good Luck!

replace the plugs to, the major reason is timing like Patton said