I'd switch to a carb mounted elec choke, regardess of the manifold. Only reason to use an original type divorced choke is if you want it to LOOK original. Most say that a GOOD electric choke is much better.

If you want the exhaust crossover to heat up the intake and carb, for cold weather operation, you must leave the exhaust crossovers open.

I live in North Louisiana, where it doesn't get real cold very often. So, a choke & exhaust crossover are not really "must have" items here. And I always blocked 'em off on all my race cars. Also removed the choke plate, for slightly more air flow.

But, if you remove the choke, you may wanna rig up an elec idle stop solenoid. These were used on AC cars, to keep the idle speed up, when the AC compressor kicks in. With a toggle switch, you could keep the engine up to idle speed, while it warms up, then flip it off, once the carb warms up enuff to idle properly without the idle stop.