Hard starting when cold

[jandj_davis]

I recieved an 85 C10 as a hand-me-down from my grandfather. It runs well (as far as I know) and has so far gotten a new battery, alternator, fuel filter, and air filter. It has a E4ME carb on a 305 V8. The biggest issue I have with it right now is that after it sits for several hours (overnight, or all day at work) it takes a lot of cranks to get it started, and I am worried that I am going to wear out my starter. It starts fine (,2 seconds of carnking) when warm. I am moderately mechanically inclined, and do almost all of my own work on my motorcycles and this truck. I have a service manual (Chiltons), and under hard starting it says to check these things:

1) Binding linkage, choke valve or choke piston
2) Restricted choke vacuum diaphragm
3) Improper Fuel Level
4) Dirty, worn, or faulty needle valve and seat
5) Float sticking
6) Faulty fuel pump
7) Incorrect choke cover adjustment
8) Inadequate choke unloader adjustment
9) Faulty ignition coil
10) Improper spark plug gap
11) Incorrect ignition timing
12) Incorrect valve timing

I plan on replacing the spark plugs and wires very soon, and will gap them properly, but the truck runs and idles fine (idle may hunt a bit) so I don't think plugs are the main cause. Since I am new to 4-wheel maintenance, I have a few questions about the items listed above. (Note: I gave them numbers so they are easier to reference. They in no way represent priority.)
1, 2, 7, 8: I don't even know what these mean. Can anyone explain? It has an electrically controlled choke, so do they even apply?
3, 4, 5: Does the carb have to be removed/dissassembled for this to be addressed?
12: Does this require valve cover removal, or engine removal?

Finally, if any of you can recommend a plan of attack for me, I would appreciate it. Like I said, I will be replacing the spark plugs/wires very soon, but if that doesn't fix it, do I look at timing? fuel pump? choke stuff? if you could renumber the above list with a priority rating, which would come first? Thanks all!