I choke them the way they were "born":

- manual choke on my 1954 235 truck engine with manual transmission

- automatic choke on my 1954 235 truck engine with Hydra-Matic/automatic transmission (it uses a "manifold heat stove" for heat)

I have not had any problems with either technique.

Tim
1954Advance-Design.com
1954 3106 Carryall Suburban
1954 3104 5-window pickup w/Hydra-Matic
The 216 and early 235 engines are not "splash oilers" -- this is a splash oiler.