1978 Tower of Power 1150 Choke Problems

I have a 1978 1150 Mercury. The choke is always closed. This is good for starting but not when idling. The motor dies. I stuck a screw drive In the choke assy for the top carb so it will hold open the chokes and let the motor run. I disconnected the battery and the choke is still closed. Got any ideas? I am going to pull all three carbs off and rebuild them due to gas leak on the middle carb and this is a new motor to me. This motor is the one that does have the power trim on it. I did put a new water pump in this motor Wednesday 17th and bought a fresh tank of fuel. Thanks for any help.

Removed the carbs and someone before me has also removed the carbs. The spring for the choke was not put back correctly.