Carburetor question for 66 C-10 with 283

[AslanRules]

I've been reading threads for the past 3 hours and I am unable to find the exact information that I need. So.....here's the deal:

1) 66 Chevy C-10 with a 283 rebuilt by a nice old gentleman.
2) He traded the stock carb (he thinks it was a Quadrajet) for a rebuilt Holley 4 bbl (he thinks it was 650 cfm). I'm pretty sure he used the original intake with adapter for Holley. Carb has electric choke now, but was originally manual (knob on dash).
3) Having trouble starting in AM, as well as re-starting after sitting for 30-60 minutes. Also, cuts out and misses when accelerator depressed......driveable, but annoying.
4) Points, plugs, fuel filter all good.
5) The nice old gentleman told me when I bought it that it needed a smaller carburetor so that it wouldn't miss/surge.

Here's my question(s):

1) Did the 283 come with a 4-bbl or 2-bbl?
2) I haven't closely inspected the carb/intake, but.....is it possible that this puppy was originally fitted with a 2-bbl and that the adapter converted it for 4-bbl usage? Or is that a stupid question?
3) I don't want to buy a new intake, but I think it needs a different carb. I don't mind going with a 2-bbl, if that's what it had originally.
4) If 4-bbl, my reading has led me to lean towards original Quadrajet or Edelbrock 1405 (I want to go back to the manual choke). I also want better gas mileage.....not really into high-performance or hot-rodding. Any opinions would be appreciated.


Thanks in advance for your help.

Randy