Removing the the thermostatic spring will cause the heat riser valve to close blocking the exhaust from heating the bottom of the intake manifold.
The pictures came from Trifive.
The spring is also an antivibration spring. Some say they can hear vibration (valve shaft against manifold) if unhooked.
Do you need a working heat riser in Atlanta? Wikipedia says: "Carburetor icing most often occurs when the outside air temperature is below 70 degrees F (21 degrees C) and the relative humidity is above 80 percent."
"Adding CFM to a truck will only help at engine speeds you don't want to use." "I found there was nothing to gain beyond 400 CFM."
