hard engine starting

If you try the tests that are suggested, with the spark and then the 1/2 teaspoon of fuel, then my next suggestion was going to be what others have suggested: do a bigger pump or 2 pumps prior to cold starting. My son's 340 starts best with 2 pumps when it is cold. The amount of fuel in 2 full Holley accelerator pump shots is around 5-10 cc's. That is 1-2 teaspoons full.

How much of that gets into the cylinders is anyone's guess. Most or all will spread across the intake floor and evaporate and be carried into the engine.