DCOE Q's

Anyone know how to tell if the throttle shaft / spindle is worn or need re-bushing? I can feel a *tiny* (less than 1 mm) bit of movement on the end furtherest from the linkage wheel (would be closest to firewall on a Pinto) and am wondering if this is normal or a potential source of air leaks.

Also does anyone have an elegant method for pulling / pushing the chokes out? The 30mm ones currently in there have to go and are pretty tight. Remove throttle shaft and drift out?

Carbs are 45DCOE13's if that makes any difference.

Also am chasing 4x 36mm chokes, 145 mains, short stub stacks, redline inlet manifold, linkages and K&N's if there are any out there before I resort to ebay.

I changed the chokes in my new 40s last week & I just removed the trumpets, loosened the big grub screw & lock nut on the side 1/2 way along & the venturies fell out & then backed off the small grub screw & lock nut on the side, up near the shaft end & the chokes fell out. If I looked down the throat from the trumpet end I could see the little spiky end of the grub screw that goes through them & holds them in. Hope this helps as this is all new to me, my Weber book talks of other models with cir-clips as well. It also recommends removing shafts be left to the experts, hope this helps