I noticed on most my cold starts I get a puff of black smoke followed by some white smoke. This all happen within 1-2 sec. Other starts I get a big cloud of white smoke and the engine runs rough for about 30 sec. but then is ok after that. Is this from giving it too much pedal when I start it? This is on a totally stock truck.

 

Don't give it pedal.maybe grid heater going bad causing white smoke

 

Sounds like a normal cold diesel engine to me.
You've got to consider that these 12 valve valve engines are WWII technology and change no parameters for starting.