M35a2 fuel cutoff rod springs back to firewall 5 o'clock position when cover removed

It actually starts easily, and runs great-- as long as I add some throttle and keep a high idle. The fuel shutoff arm however, returns to the 5 oclock position on its own rather than the 7 oclock position when manipulated with the engine off. That includes returning to the 5 oclock position from a full-forward or 7 oclock position (maybe we can call it 5:30). This occurs to the silver arm [inside shutoff housing, that connects to the black lever] when it is disconnected from the lever as well (it favors a more rearward position).