Shift pattern on the column is an H. To the driver, and up is reverse. To the driver and down is 1st. The cross is neutral, Away from the driver and up is 2nd and away from the driver and down is 3rd. Don't make fun of someone who has not seen a column shift. He/she just might be younger than you are. Starting in 3rd is close to impossible. Stall is very possible. Now, to that hot start issue. You might have an issue with, timing, fuel mix and or an air leak. Search timing with a vacuum gauge. Simple and it works. Air leaks are somewhat tricky, but not too hard. A propane torch and no fire works well. The gas gets sucked in the leak and the engine speeds up. Be careful, no fires please. Modern fuels can cause the needle and seat to stick, closed or open. Closed will make starting very close to impossible. Open will flood. So a good check is to take the air cleaner off. Look down the carb, move the linkage. Squirt? Fuel in the bowel. No squirt? No fuel or a bad accelerator pump. Time to pull the carb. If you get a squirt you can still have the flooding issue. Pull a spark plug. Is it wet? Flooded. Or bad timing. That should keep you busy for a bit. Get back to us and let us know what you find. This link will help you with a manual for your truck: http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/
Good place to visit.

Steve H