and then it runs w/o any smoke at all. I see a drop of water or two as well, on cold moisture-filled mornings here in Jax "winter"

and it never returns and it runs w/o smoke, and as of yesterday it will not start back up once its hot. Not really sure why.

?? what could GREY smoke be ? very plumey, takes a couple seconds then it comes

 

Could be your valve seals allowing oil to run down into the cylinders.

 

Something is dumping fuel on startup. Gray/black smoke is fuel, blue is oil, white is coolant.

 

I have gray smoke coming from the engine when I start mine after it sits for a while.
The engine looks like an oil jug threw up on it though so I know why it smokes.

 

Could it be the choke? i know it dumps a LOT of fuel in and then it goes away.

Im wonderinn why it smokes More than it did when i first got the car. it used to be not all that bad, now it does it more.

 

Does it chug a little when first started? It could be that the choke isn't opening fast enough (not dumping fuel but cutting off the air supply) on a cold start.

 

Would that make it not start when hot? But yes, im agreeing with you.. if it would affect "hot starting" that may be my issue.

Is it easily adjustable? It "chugs" and almost sounds/runs like its "out of time" (smooth for 30 seconds, dies down, and when it dies down - rpms lower i see the smoke)

intermittent smoke too, the amount and visibility of smoke correlates to engine sound, which changes - until its warmed up

 

Well, all I can tell you, not having a decent repair guide for the E2SE to go by, is that if the choke has a bimetallic thermostatic spring that is worn out, or worse, broken, you could have problems. The bimetal spring is designed to hold the choke partially open when the engine is hot (if the 2SE carb has one), providing easier starting. If there is a vacuum motor that operates the choke, it could have a bad diaphragm. And, also, if there is an electric kicker motor that works the choke, it could be weak or clogged with dirt, or also worn out. Again, giving you some possibilities as I don't really have a guide for the E2SE.

:edit: I have a lawnmower with a vacuum choke that does the same thing most times. When you pull it, it will chug until it catches up to itself, and with the air cleaner off, you can tell it's having problems holding the choke open.