It is normal for the floats to evaporate because they are open to atmosphere. This should take longer than a few days with the air cleaner installed. Remember, today's gasohol is not yesterday's gasoline.

More importantly, if your fuel pump is losing its prime, the fuel line is dry which certainly causes a hard start. Check this by pouring some fuel into the carb throat after a few days. The engine should start up immediately.

Where is the fuel going? Is it a slow diaphragm leak back into the timing cover or is it simply back-washing to the tank? You can bench-test to know the answer before throwing parts at this problem.

If fuel is back-washing to the tank, a simple check valve at the frame hose will keep the pump 'wet'. - Dave

If you have the Edelbrock 1405 it has a manual choke. That means it is up to you to open the choke at the correct time. The fact that it runs fine when cold tells me that you are either opening the choke too soon or not soon enough.

John

There is no choke flap in this carburator anymore, i think the previous owner just removed it. Only the high idle mechanism is still there, but there is no manual choke lever mounted in the car. We have no real cold weather overhere, but i have been thinking in installing a manual choke knob and cable.

Even in summer weather the carburetor needs a choke to richen the fuel mixture up enough to start.

Popping at idle? Probably don't have enough spark advance.