Engine surges when cold - Once it warms up it runs fine

Could be several things. The engine has a cold start routine which enrichens the fuel mix and sets the timing for cold starts. The problem you have is after the cold start routine kicks out.

Mainly this can be due to a loss due to an intake manifold gasket leak or if there are stuck manifold runners. Manifold runners are not on every engine, but the idea is that each intake has 2 chambers and one is leaner than the other. So your engine may be running too lean because the runners are not switching properly. Sometimes the activating rods fall off because plastic clips become brittle and break.

Do a look up for these parts while identifying the engine size and Year. The search may show you photos or even videos of how to fix this.

Possibly an idle air motor for your idle problem or a vacuum hose off.

cold idle control sensor bad

88 ford ranger 2.9 surges buck down when take off in first gear

A common problem with the 90's engines was the ECTS (electronic coolant temperature sensor) going bad. Seems when attempting to start the car, the computer in the car will only allow enough gas it thinks is needed to start. When a car is cold, the computer gives more gas initially, until the engine warms up, then gives less gas. When starting a warm engine, less gas is needed.

If the sensor goes bad, it always tells the computer that the engine is hot. The computer give less gas to a cold engine, and sometimes it will start, sometimes not. Its a pretty cheap part, and a do it yourself one, just research it a bit on line...good luck

check your carburater.

This problem can be several things. When your engine is cold, your computer is in a "closed loop" and just pretty much keeps the engine running until warmed up. After reaching operation temperature, the computer starts reading all the sensors. If one sensor is not connected or is defective, you will experience performance problems. Most of the time this will turn on the check engine light, but not always. Second is the fuel pump. This too will cause erratic engine problems.

You need to check a service manual on this but it sounds a bunch like a cold-start valve isn't closing once the engine is warm and this would cause an overly rich fuel-air mix that would gag a warm engine. I don't know if your car is equipped with  one or not. 

Your problem is more likely a distributor-timing problem, than a carburator problem. The richness of the fuel acts like a constant choke, and the car runs fine until it warms up.

Once the car is warm, try manually advancing the spark. If that helps, then take the distributor to a repair shop that can tell you if the vacuum advance is working properly.

Remember, the spark must be +10 degrees advanced when cold.

Good Luck