[HO455]

Unless someone has swapped the wrong rods on the carb you shouldn't have to make different rods. Usually if the wrong rods are installed the choke mechanism will be bound up and not move freely. Your carburetor looks nicely rebuilt so my feeling is that you have the correct linkages. Can you point out which rod you are referring to?
It is hard to tell from the pictures, is your choke coil moving freely. It should be pulling down on the choke cam when cold (and the throttle held open off the idle stop) and it should be pushing up and holding the choke securely open when hot. You can test it by removing it and putting it in the refrigerator and getting it nice and cold. Then place it on a hot plate and watch the movement of the rod. You should see the rod rise smoothly as the coil expands due to the heat. Before reinstalling the choke coil make sure the spring isn't binding on the manifold or the choke stove.