Cold Start - looking for some confirmation
 

I have a 1979 GMC and have always had some trouble with cold starts. But now I can't get it to start at all when cold.

It will start if some gas or starter fluid is added to the carb. I am assuming that means there is something wrong with the carb?

Re: Cold Start - looking for some confirmation
 

if the gas runs, there should be nothing wrong with the gas itself. First thing to do is to check the choke and make sure its properly adjusted. then start looking for other things

Re: Cold Start - looking for some confirmation
 

Check the choke. Depress accelerator all the way to the floor once. Remove the top of the air cleaner. Is the choke closed all the way? Really closed completely so there is no space at all in the opening? Pull back the throttle bracket and see if you can move the choke valve to close it a bit further. If you have a choke problem, just install an manual choke ($12 fix, works every time, and you know for sure when the choke is closed and when it is open). Note: some think the choke should not work in warm weather, but you still need the choke to close in warm weather - it just opens all the way quickly after the engine starts.