Technical 51 Chevy deluxe 235

I have a 235 I believe that is pre 1960. Just got it back from getting the air ride done. Sat since the end of October. Getting back on the road. Rebuilt the carb and trying to get it running right. When it's cold I can't get it to start without either. Only runs up off an idle with the choke about 1/2 on. Sprayed either around the intake. Made sure the vacuum line on the carb is tight. Got it running out of a new tank of gas. Replaced plugs and wires. And messed with the air fuel screw on the carb. As soon as u take the choke off it dies. Even when warmed up. And it doesn't back fire when I turn it off so I know it's in decent time. Any pointers lol

 

First pointer- it's ether.
Second pointer- "Messed with the air fuel screw" is where I would start. It isn't getting enough gas,as evidenced by need to be choked. Sounds like you have eliminated the possibility of a vacuum leak.
Third pointer- cars don't backfire when you turn off the ignition. If it backfires when you start it or rev up the engine, then there might be a timing problem.
Fourth pointer-don't screw up the timing unless you are sure it is the problem.

 

What carb are you using? We had these Rochesters in my wife's '51 and the car idled really high no matter what we did. Then we discovered that the "fault" was in the adjustment screws on the top right. Every quarter turn they were either open or closed, IIRC, so they had to be finely adjusted. Maybe you're having a similar problem.

Regardless, reset the carb. Turn the air screw all the way in, and then back it out 1.5 turns and start form there. Or better yet, check the shop manual for precise process.