"Cold, I choke the engine, full throttle and flip it 6-8 times. Then close the throttle to a couple of clicks over idle, switch off the choke, switch on the ignition and apply the starter."

Gerald,
Have you tried to start it with the choke closed and the ignition ON??? On my gas engines I close the choke, flip until I get gas out the carb, leave the choke closed/Ignition on and flip. After a couple of flips the engine usually tries to run and dies. Then I open the choke and flip and within a couple of flips the engine is running.