Choke thermostat help needed

There was a porcelain switch on the manifold that shut off the power when the engine gets hot.

Yes, the choke heater modulator. starting in 1973 (not 1969).

You could prob hook up a rear defrost timer as alternative .

No, totally different animal.

I wonder if that's what the little black box is that came with the conversion kit?
Similar idea, but not quite the same part. The '73-up factory choke modulator adjusts power on the feed side of the choke heater, which has a constant ground. The black box that comes with the choke kit adjusts resistance (in accord with engine temperature) on the ground side of the choke heater, which has a constant feed with ignition on. You can fine-tune the behaviour of the aftermarket electric choke by choosing where to locate the ground modulator. I usually used the rear one of the two threaded holes facing the sky on the cylinder head, just inboard of the manifold mounting plane.