choke question on 402

I just put an edelbrock performer on a relatively stock (small cam) 402. i put the original spring style choke back on and the carb (excellent running rochester) often idles too high and it seems that the choke side linkage of the carb jambs up. Ie, if I manually manipulate the choke linkage, it idles fine until I pull the throttle again and the choke linkage seems to resort back to a high idle again. The choke spring looks to be in good condition. I feel that I may have put it on wrong. Is the spring supposed to be constricted or pulled tight when put on? any help would be appreciated. thanks