When the intake manifold temperature is below operating temperature, liquid fuel will come out of suspension from the incoming fuel/air mixture when it comes into contact with the cooler manifold. This will then be sucked into the cylinder, but not ignited, then leak down past the rings, washing the oil off of the cylinders causing excess wear, and contaminating the oil with raw fuel.
Unless the ambient temperature in the deep south is above 160 degrees, this will happen upon every startup with a non-functioning intake baffle.
Much of this information was gleaned from the Chevrolet Factory Manual for '47-'51.
