1) Starting out with the engine cold and having not touched anything, should the choke plate be 'fully' closed?

2) If so, does the choke plate only open to the specified gap (1/8") only when you start the cold engine and the engine vacuum to the choke pull down kicks in?

3) Also, before starting, when you first 'load' the throttle to set the cam at its highest point, is the choke plate completely closed? Waiting for the engine vacuum to open it via the pull down?

Thanks

 

I'm not sure that I ever had a 2150, but for carbs in general that had a choke plate (all except Variable Venturi's)...

In cold-enough temperatures where a car sat and cooled off completely, if you looked at the choke plate before doing anything, it would be partially-closed only. The bi-metallic spring would want to close the choke, but the linkage would hit the fast-idle cam, and stop.

Then, getting in, and following the cold-start procedure, which was to put foot to floor smoothly and completely, and then let off smoothly and completely, that temporary lifting of the linkage would allow the bi-metallic to flip the fast-idle cam into position, and the choke plate all the way closed. Then the linkage sat down on the fast-idle position of the cam.
That was known as "setting the choke", and growing up in a Northern climate, there were a few that just didn't get it! Just grind away at that starter instead!

EDIT - Just checked Rockauto, my old 289 Galaxie had a 2100 carb.

 

Thanks Torky2.

I think I have it figured out.

Engine cold, the choke plate starts off closed, you pump the accelerator pedal once to load the fast idle cam, the choke plate is still closed, start the engine, engine vacuum now engages the choke pull down opening the choke plate slightly. Hit the pedal again, the cam goes to second position at the 'V' mark to slightly lower the fast idle. As the choke spring warms up it opens the choke plate to the point that the cam disengages to allow for normal idle.