ok so here is the next report
today i attempted another start, here are the observations

> with filters removed it took about two 30 second cranks to see fuel flow from the carb inlet, with one in-line filter installed just before the carb i got the same result. fuel looked like healthy "garden hose pulsing"

>i connected the line back to the carb inlet, manually moved the choke to about 1/8' gap, pumped 3-5 times and cranked-
motor did not start

>i sprayed starting fluid into the carb, reset choke to about 1/8" gap and cranked....
it attempted to start but quit

>i repeated above with starting fluid 3 more times before it finally stayed running

>i let it run for about 30 minutes, the choke is still gaped at only about 1/8" , the minute i try to open the choak even slightly it stalls, i could rev the motor by repeatedly pumping the pedal but as soon as i let up on the pedal it stalls

>after it stalls its been 50/50 that i can just turn the key to start it, half the time i need to use the starting fluid again.

NOTE-all the while the choke is set to about 3/16" gap which seems to be the sweet spot

the carb is a rochester 2bbl, it was rebuilt a while back, minimally used and than sat for another two years. i dont know a thing about carbs or choking techniques so this is a learning experience

i purchased the truck a while back and life got in the way so to be honest i never got to really enjoy the truck running well, just fighting to get it started and moving it from storage spot to storage spot, hopefully that will change

thanks for sticking with me on the thread