Thanks Guys, I appreciate all feedback. In regards to Paul's suggestion I pulled the plug on the idle air valve before starting (hard)and then plugged it in. Idle went up immediately and the engine smoothed out suggesting to me the valve is doing it's thing.

Kentucky's suggestion of the cold start injector had me still wondering, I'd never seen one on this car even after replacing the head gasket. Suggestion makes sense, just not for my car.

Art, your idea is one that I can't immediately rule out and makes me hopeful as it may be one I haven't tried, (or I might have). It can be frustrating when you have tried everything you can think of, and yet the problem remains. Are you referring to the coolant temperature sensor? If so I did replace this with another used one I had in my pile of parts. I'll check it at the ECM. Something might be happening between a good sensor and the brain box.

Stay tuned for test results to be posted.
Regards,
Bill