I have been thinking about a new carburetor for my 76 deville(500cid). The only problem is that I do not money to burn on a performance carb. I know that a rebuild kit only runs ~$20. How difficult is it to rebuild for someone of limited rebuild experience, but with time to kill? Should I just wait till I had the money to buy a holley or edlebrock carb?

I'd advise against any carb besides a Q-Jet. A Holley will net you a zero increase in power over a properly tuned Q-Jet, you'd probably lose some power. I rebuilt mine on my 78 that's since died, but it was a lot of work. I'd take it to a local carb shop if I had to do it over again or send it off to The Carb Shop or some other professional carb rebuilders.

Edelbrock 1411 is an awesome carb for these engines. They run about $298.00 and you will need an adapter plate to mount it to the manifold. The adapter is another $30.00.

go for it take your time get a book on it and if you keep you calm about it should be no problem.

where can I get a rebuild book?

Rochester Carburetors by Doug Roe......you should be able to order it from any local book store of get it off the web. I've never seen it but it's supposed to be a good book.

yeah, that's a great book. Read it before rebuilding, and then go at it.
I had never touched a carb before I read that book, and I can honestly say I really understand how they work now (I'm an engineering student though)
Since, I've rebuild two q-jets on my Camaros, and will do my Caddy soon. Both are working, and very well. Great throttle response from those carbs.
One thing - do pay attnetion to the secondary air door adjustment that Doug Roe gives in the book - that is what causes the bog that everyone blames the carb for. I adjusted it, and no bogs here, just power.