before the head work it ran poor & was hard to start & after the head work now it is really hard to start (plus the posted symptoms in the first post?) then a carb swap (to the AFB) & no real change? I wonder if there is a vac leak from the metal valley pan & it runs poor cuz it is lean cuz of the rich(er) mixture required when cold makes it sneeze then when it warms up, a leaner mixture suffices & it is pretty much alot better (tho I wouldn't think a vac leak would be spot on). just thinking out loud. I ain't thinking ign cuz they (when bad) can usually run OK when cold then act up when hot. Keep after it & keep us posted. I love the toughies.