454 starting issues

[KyleSeal]

Background info: original 84 454 BBC with an Edelbrock intake with a Holley 750 Double Pumper (mechanical choke), big cam but other than that rather stock.

Problem: the other day I had an issues driving where it would studder under acceleration just after shifting. It shut off down the road and I tried to start it again and it was backfiring through the carburetor (white smoke) and just wouldn't start. I advanced the dist a few degrees and it fired up. But it throws white smoke from the pipe after advanced, so I assume its getting okay spark because it does start, just doesnt run great. I cannot find out whats wrong.

The main thing that gets me is that itll start good right after advancing the dist, but after that first start it doesn't start easy and will try to do a carb backfire again.

and heres a pic of the 84 K30 just for fun.