[davepl]

Make sure the choke pulloff (vacuum assembly that pull the choke open about 1/8" as soon as it fires) is working correctly and adjusted correctly per the shop manual. You have no hope of it running properly when cold if that's not set up correctly.

If it's too far open it'll just die. If it's too closed or not working, it'll lug and buck and smoke and so on, basically running super-rich.

Start with the factory shop manual dimensions, then have someone start the truck while you're underhood. As soon as it fires try opening and closing the choke door a little (like the thickness of a pencil lead) to get the best operation, and then try to bend the linkage to get that setting automatically.

But just check it before going crazy, you could well have some other problem entirely.