I tried to start the car before I tore into the ignition and noticed smoke from around the carb. It was the thing that the choke thermostat plugs into. I unplugged it and car starts great.View attachment 1715817501
That is electrical choke assist/heater controller. It only helps open the choke a little faster. You dont need it. Choke will still open fully, only a little slower.
Everything electrical that they added in the engine bay along the way was added to the only switched 12 volt wire in there.
I've posted in previous threads that this thing can short and rob power from other components.