I just noticed the wire from the choke to the break diaphram doesn't do jack. Could this be the reason my car just dies when I let off of the choke; like I turned off the key? I've plugged just about every port even the brakes, I would try it but its too late tonight. How do I bend it to stay put and press the break diaphram?

I checked the carb manual and it doesnt seem to go into detail about what that thing does. So basically it doesn't move and my car simply goes off.


This morning there was a substantial amount of steam coming off of the engine and I couldn't smell anything sweet. Also a bit of gurgling, hissing, pissing around the intake manifold. Am I due for a water pump and Tstat? Or doomed to a new engine?

 

Intake o-rings. If you aren't running antifreeze, then it won't smell sweet (like maple syrup). Changing the orings is an easy job, just get the rings and an intake gasket and you'll be all set as far as that part of your issue.

I couldn't make sense of the rest of your post (wire, break diaphragm, etc.)... Sorry.