318 2bbl won't idle without choke

There is no gasket at the borrom of the power piston; this will only serve to raise the metering rods and make it run rich.

There is supposed to be a horseshoe-shaped flat metal bar installed onto the float pivot. When you put the top onto the carb, it pushes the float down and locks it in place. Is yours in there?
Just ran outside to double check - it's on there, with the round side facing up and the "legs" against the float pin