I've never tunned a carb before. I just put a new carb on my car and it solved my old problem of having a hard time starting now it starts right up but after a few seconds it dies. What should I do to tune the carb, its an edelbrock 500 cfm. Also I live in Ohio where its currently only about 20 out.

 

You don't say what part number or what kind of car but here are a couple of ideas.
What is the fuel pressure.If the fuel pump is shoving more fuel into the carb than the float can shut off,the engine will flood.
How about the float setting?If it's not set right the engine can lean out or flood and,of course,die.
Here's a link to Edelbrock's web page,there's some good info there about tuning their carbs.
http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive_new/index.shtml

 

OR........is the electric/manual choke set right? If its 20' outside, any oldschooler with a carb will usually just do a put-put after start then die until it is warm enough if the choke isnt set right.

 

Read the manual that came with your carb. It explains all the adjustments you'll need.

Sounds like the choke isn't set up right. You will definitely have to do some tuning to make the engine run correctly.