Trouble with a new Thermoquad Installation

I have a '67 Dart with a 340 (and drivetrain) from a '72 Duster. It had a Holley 670 on it which had a horrible dead spot when I nailed the accelerator. I played with the float and so on but it never really helped too much.

So I got a rebuilt Thermoquad off eBay and installed it as well as a correct choke. The Thermoquad runs very well when it is warm and has no dead spots at all. But it is a bear to start and runs like crap until it is warmed up, then it runs like a champ.

I adjusted the choke linkage so that the choke butterfly is closed when it is cold and all the way open when it is warm. But the minute I try to start it the choke butterfly opens up a bit and it will not start. I have to close the choke butterfly all the way and clamp it shut with a small vice grip pliers. After a few turns it starts for a few seconds and then stalls. I then remove the vice grip pliers and it starts after a few cranks. I have to keep it running by working the accelerator or it will stall. If I set the idle to keep it running when cold then it will race like crazy when warm so I have opted for the warm idle setting.

The Holley started up well and did not have any idle issues ... just the dead spot. No problems if the acceleration was gradual rather than nailing it.

I did bend the linkage that goes between the front and back choke butterflies so it does not open up much at all, but the small gap which is maybe 1/8" is still not enough to get it to run so I still have to use the vice grip pliers.

I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts. Thanks in advance for any input you may provide.