question about CWM on carbed 4V

I've had a few mustangs over the years but I just bought my first carbed Mustang about a month ago. I'm trying to learn more about the carbed 5.0. I have a little mechanical experience and am trying to learn as I go. I attempted to change the valve cover gaskets because they were leaking. I got the new gaskets on and proceeded to start the car with out the air cleaner assembly plugged in. The car will start but it stalls out immediately. I reconnected the Cold Weather Modulator and the air cleaner assembly but still the same result. My question is would starting the car without the CWM plugged in cause this problem? If so how can I correct it? It may not even be that but like I said I'm not familiar with the older carbed motors. I checked all the wires and everything else seems to be ok.

thanks for the response. The hose that is connected to the pcv valve in front of the carb came off somehow in the installation. I also found another hose stuffed with a golf tee that was supposed to be connected to the EGR valve. So now the car is actually running way better than before. Thank you for the reply.