I just replaced a failed choke pull off on my 68 Charger. I now need to check the setting of the the new one.
My question is after I apply vacuum to the pull off actuator, do I need to apply enough upward pressure on the linkage
to compress the inner stem spring on the actuator before setting the choke blade gap?
I have read the 1968 FSM and it is a little confusing on this detail.

No, just apply vacuum to the pull off, and adjust the pull off linkage to obtain the amount of choke blade opening you want.

So there is no confusion to what I asking about. Here are a couple of pictures the the old choke pull off.
The first picture is without any tension on the stem. The second picture is pulling out the stem and compressing the internal
stem spring.

The FSM says:
"Note that most units, a cylindrical stem extends as the internal spring is compressed. This spring must be fully compressed for proper measurement of vacuum kick adjustment".


My interpretation of the FSM instruction would be that the while vacuum is applied to the choke pull off. The diaphragm stem would need to be extended while setting the choke gap.

Agree?

Yes you put enough tension on the choke plate to also compress the inner spring when setting the choke gap to specs with vacuum applied to the choke kick pull-off. Most manuals will tell you that but not all do. Most of the carbs I do usually always say to compress that spring when setting the choke blade spec. Ron