Cold starting problem

[Red68]

I just rebuilt my 327 and I am having a problem starting it in cold weather. I have an HEI ignition with an edelbrock 600 carb & performer intake. I had the carb rebuilt when I rebuilt my engine. It turns over until the battery just about dies then it takes off. If I dont keep my foot in it it dies. After about 5 minutes at about 1500-2000 rpm it will idle.

I had a similar problem before I rebuilt it but once it fired it was fine, just turned over for several seconds before firing.

Is it a carb/choke problem, I have adjusted the electric choke from rich to lean and it does not seem to make any difference.

Any help would be appriciated. If I cant figure it out I will probably take it to a local shop.

[TugOwar]

This is probably way off base but I'm just gonna take a wild stab here at the risk of offending you by stating the obvious.
Is the timing right? Valves correctly adjusted, plugs gapped correctly? From your description almost seems like something needs to warm up or the timing chain stretch just a bit before it'll start, weird.
I'm just guessing really. "shrug"

[Red68]

I took it to a mechanic a week ago and he found a couple vacuum leaks (bolt holes in the heads for alternate manifold needed plugged). He set the timing 4 deg advanced (according to the cam specs). I have not checked the valves, they are new RHS heads with roller rockers. Another thing I notice is just before it starts the first time the oil pressure gauge registers(not sure if that means anything).