When one puts a carb on that has an electronic choke how does that work? Do you flip a switch and it chokes and stays choked until you put the switch back to un-choke? I just got a 390 Holley and it has an electric choke. First time I've ever dealt with such a thing.

Doing Fords for 45 years. '56 Customline Victoria

E.J. in Havana FL

I've set up the two I've got (electric chokes) so that they are "on" with the ignition switch "on". I have since learned that GM uses a system where a choke circuit relay is "armed" by the ignition switch ([provided with power) - but the relay is switched "on" by a power lead from the alternator.

If the ignition is "on" - but the alternator isn't charging (meaning the engine is actually "off") the relay opens and the choke doesn't sit there and cook.

On mine - I put a fuse holder out at the choke - and when I'm running the ignition (but not the engine) - I pull the fuse.

 
 Steve Metzger       Tucson, Arizona

Thanks Steve, but does the choke go from "choke" to "open" by its self or what? Is there a timer or what to open the choke?

Doing Fords for 45 years. '56 Customline Victoria

E.J. in Havana FL

It just basically heats a spring up, causes the spring to expand and open the choke plate. Hook it to a circuit that is only "hot" when the ignition is on, not to the coil.

Frank/Rebop

Bristol, In ( by Elkhart) 

If you take the three screws and "spring clip" off the black electric choke housing - you can pull it off and have a look at the "bi-metal" strip inside - an electrically heated spring. One end is rigged with a loop that fits over the operator arm for the choke door etc. Simple gadget.

With the three clamp screws loosened (and the loop I just described still engaged with the choke door arm) - engine cold and ignition off - no power to the choke for 10 minutes or so - you can adjust the "cold" choke door setting. That puts the spring back to its "normal" un-heated position.

Cold - Work the throttle open and closed once to release the fast idle cam (more on this in a minute). Turn the black choke spring housing in the clamp until the door is within about a 1/4 inch of closed and tighten the three screws. If you put power (and ground) on the two spade connections of the housing - you can stand there a couple of minutes and watch the choke door slowly open as the spring heats.

After you have run the engine and the choke door has opened wide - and then you let the engine cool without ever retouching the throttle - the fast idle cam will hold the choke door open until you work the throttle once. It will then close the door to your setting point.

On the back side of the electric choke housing is the fast idle cam and the infamous screw that sets fast idle speed. It is nearly impossible to adjust this sucker with the carb on the engine. The designer of this "feature" deserves the name "toaster engineer". Adjusting this screw is "trial and error" in extreme. After each trial the engine has to go cold to re-set. Duh.....

 
 Steve Metzger       Tucson, Arizona

Steve is correct on the fast idle screw. You can get a 90 degree screw driver on it if you're a contorsionist. The fast idle has two speeds, too fast, and too slow!

Frank/Rebop

Bristol, In ( by Elkhart) 

Run a wire from your coil ( + ) to the ( +) on your choke . The other wire on the choke is earth .( - ) .It worked for me . Whenever you start your car ,power goes straight to the choke

Lon

yblocksdownunder

lon  where have you been hiding you must be working hard on your efee dont worry ive been stirring em up for you.

hey frank believe it or not i have a spanner that can reach the fast idle screw but your right too fast or too slow im getting rid of mine soon & putting an autolite on sick of the holley leaking from accel pump & really sick of re-adjusting the mixture every 30 seconds.

moz. geelong victoria australia.

graduate 1980, bus, truck, car, hot rod, boat, submarine, hovercraft, hydrafoil, firetruck, mobile home, jet, helicopter, cruise ship, motorcycle, bicycle, santa's sleigh, clock, alloy bullbar, alloy fuel tank, lens, dr who's tardis, matter - anti matter warp drive buffer & y-block lover

Hey Frank ,

 Moz means a WRENCH .

Moz ,the only "spanner " these guys know about is a crab ???

Maybe I can learn them a few more Aussie words .

Lon

yblocksdownunder

lon sometimes i forget to use americanism's so whats a ring spanner called

moz. geelong victoria australia.

graduate 1980, bus, truck, car, hot rod, boat, submarine, hovercraft, hydrafoil, firetruck, mobile home, jet, helicopter, cruise ship, motorcycle, bicycle, santa's sleigh, clock, alloy bullbar, alloy fuel tank, lens, dr who's tardis, matter - anti matter warp drive buffer & y-block lover