Choke Issues

[Stormhawk]

So starting about a week ago my truck (83 K20 350/TH400) has been having severe cold starting issues.
It will literally not stay running unless I manually hit the choke kick off, start it, then run back under the hood and hold the choke plate all the way open.
If I bump the throttle and let the choke fully close the truck will sputter and die.
If I try to restart it with the choke fully closed, it will refuse to start and spells strongly of gas.
If I reset the choke kick off, start it and keep it running while manually holding the choke open till it warms up it will run great. But this is a large type pain in the ass. I checked the choke spring and dialed it back slightly to set a dimes width gap on the choke plates, but the truck refuses to start. It seems over fueled. No clue what’s happening.

 

[Ricko1966]

Make sure non of your linkage is binding. Check that the choke pull off is connected and working. Make sure the diaphragm on the pull off isn't ruptured.

 

[mtbadbob]

Make sure your float isn't sticking, or maybe somehow the needle and seat are worn. There is a fine line with those choke adjustments, maybe open it so it has about 3/16ths gap when completely cold, or even stick a medium sized screw driver in between the plate at start up to see if that helps. If that helps, keep opening the choke until you find the sweet spot.

 

[Ricko1966]

Make sure your float isn't sticking, or maybe somehow the needle and seat are worn. There is a fine line with those choke adjustments, maybe open it so it has about 3/16ths gap when completely cold, or even stick a medium sized screw driver in between the plate to see if that helps.

That could possibly hide a bad choke pull off. The pull offs job is to pull the choke plate open as soon as there is vacuum.

 

[fast 99]

Think an 83 would have both a primary and secondary pull off.

3/16" gap on the choke plate is a good starting point for pull off adjustment. Use a drill bit and slide between the rear of the plate and choke horn. I do this engine off cold choke and a vacuum pump on the front pull-off.