heat riser help needed

I bought a kit to rebuild my heat riser and installed new bushings and new shaft with original flap. I made the flap move or float freely but then now it is really stiff to where it stays wherever I put it and won't move easily for the spring to do its job. Anyone know why it started perfectly operating but soon after now it is stiff? What changed? Thinking I might have to buy another new shaft and bore the bushings even larger. What else could I try first? Already tried wd40.

Like ScoutPilot said, pry it back. Another Q was it running? You should have used Anti-sieze to keep the carbon from gumming up the works a little bit longer. Do not buy another, just fix it.

How can I reuse the shaft without buying another kit? Last time I had to use a drill bit to drill out the weld in multiple spots which basically destroyed the shaft. Unless there is a better way to remove it.

Just fix it in the open position and leave it there. I have mine fixed open for about 4 years now and have had no issues with it being that way contrary to what others profess.

Fix it, it's there for a reason.

  You could spray some carburetor cleaner a round the shaft to clean it and then mix some grinding compound with light wt. oil or penetrating oil  and work it in around the shaft  and work it back and forth to open the hole up a little. flush it back out with carb cleaner and work some anti seize compound in around the shaft.

   Jim

Mine starts and runs great in summer stuck open. Now in winter seems cold blooded and needs to choke longer until warm

whats the lever position for fully open? Mine is a little tight but you can move it by hand. thanks Robert

You had a 50/50 chance at getting that one right. Correctly installed, lollipop up/level is closed.  With an older un-rebuilt motor expect a little bounce from it every now and then while running at idle. The bi-metal spring tab needs to rest/float on top of the other tab.