Pulled the Mess that was my Timing Chain....

Having the air filter on or of should make not difference in idle, hot or cold, fast or slow. Does it run with good vacuum with the air cleaner off now that the plugs are set better? If you need to air cleaner on to run right then something is very much wrong there. Can you show some detailed photos of the carb and ALL the hoses in and out of it and where they go? I am suspecting that your hoses, or some vacuum activated parts, are mucked up.

If the idle is dropping down as it warms up , it says the choke spring is working basically right. But the choke plate not working at all makes me suspect the linkage is not connected right.

Sounds like you are learning a lot... I think!