starts,won`t stay running

previous owner replaced ballast resistor...choke looks brand new...with the key on,tester lights-up on one side of this little round gizmo,,comes from there,gos to the thermostat heat choke,,shows no power to the choke....ran hot wire to the choke from the batt.,choke opened ownly about 1/4".....book says it should be lose,feels tight using your finger...

All i did was pull the air cleaner off,just before this happened...


still thankful for all your help,,please don`t give up...would like to get it running before i die.....was going to try starter re-lay next...