BINGO! (I think). Plugged the vacuum advance and it acted better on the choke. No sure how well it drives after that as it was still touchy during warm up but needed more trottle opening from the idle screw (ofcourse, after losing 8 degrees vacuum advance) and readjusting the idle mixture. Runs super when warm. Had already put back the bigger jets. Needs some more testing but all in all it is a lot better.
I was debating the manifold vacuum with Don a couple of years ago but didn't get any love.
Can't wait to see how it drives at next cold start! Thanks a bunch all!!