AVS Choke Doesn't Work

I am reposting this thread with a more accurate Title. It ended up being added to a question about a Thermoquad ID.

Last month I bought a 69 Dart Swinger in which almost everything is correct except the 71 340 engine and 71 360 heads. The carb is the correct Carter AVS No, 4611S. I was considering buying a Thermoquad because I can’t get the choke to work. Also a guy in a carb shop told me the AVS didn’t operate well with today’s gasoline, didn’t tune well and was costly to buy metering rods. Another guy told me they were fine carbs. I would prefer to run the AVS for correctness.

When I purchased the car it was really hard starting. It turned out the choke is always stuck wide open. The spring seems fine, but the linkage binds in the choke well. And the linkage is too long even though it was bent. It had the correct 45 stamped on it. I ordered a new one with the same result. So I ordered an original one from Tony’s- same result. When I disconnect the choke linkage, the butterfly does not bind. I’ve talked with 3 carb shops and they didn’t know anything about this issue.

It doesn’t seem like the linkage angle will work with the butterfly arm which has swung past the low point (it’s hard to explain). The arm needs to be pushed toward the rear first, past the low point, then up, to work properly. I’ve read prior posts. Even though some members have mentioned some AVS choke issues, I never could determine a resolution that would help me.

Does anybody have any knowledge of this issue and know the way to fix it? It doesn’t seem like an electric choke can be installed, from what I’ve read.