Got car running but seems like choke is not working correct. Or maybe not even at all. During cold start should the thermostatic choke have tension to keep the valve open on carb to allow airflow. I have to manually hold it open to make the car warm up

I suck with chokes, but it is supposed to hold the valve closed when starting, then open slightly but still constrict the air while it warms up. As it warms up it should open more. It also controls the fast idle. When it is adjusted properly and operating properly, your motor should start right up cold and run decently until the motor is all the way warm. The trick is to get it to work properly. That might take some finesse to adjust it.

My problem is at start up the car won’t run unless I open the valve. When I open the valve it runs great. When the valve is closed I have to give the throttle some feathering.

I guess my biggest question is Why wont car start when the choke valve is close? If i prop the valve wide open she will run. Wont hold idle without feathering throttle but around 1k RPM she will stay idle. DO I have issue other than choke?

Sounds like you have too much tension on the choke flap, you can adjust it by bending the choke rod or turning the thermo spring in the choke housing, should have what looks like a flat blade screw inside the little hole on the choke housing.

So to confirm the choke valve should not be closed all the way? I have to think some air needs to get in the motor somehow

Yes.

so i need to bend choke rod so the valve is partially open to allow for some air flow, how much open? anyone have a pic of how the valve should look during cold start up