Edelbrock Choke connection
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 14,376
Likes: 6,375
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
You can do one of 2 things: Either hook it up to the windshield wiper motor (always hot when ignition is on) or you can run it through the firewall and hook it up to the "ACC" or "IGN" terminal of your fuseblock. Just don't run it off the coil wire. 
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 9,078
Likes: 7
From: DFW TX
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
Pro
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 587
Likes: 0
From: Overland Park Kansas
I know this is kinda a weird question. But what exactly does the choke DO? It doesn't seem to make my car start any easier, it damn well doesn't hold an idle at cold without me help any easier, so what's the purpose?
(I can control mine via a switch, so I've tested both ways, thats why I'ma askin')
(I can control mine via a switch, so I've tested both ways, thats why I'ma askin')
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 9,078
Likes: 7
From: DFW TX
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
I know this is kinda a weird question. But what exactly does the choke DO? It doesn't seem to make my car start any easier, it damn well doesn't hold an idle at cold without me help any easier, so what's the purpose?
(I can control mine via a switch, so I've tested both ways, thats why I'ma askin')
(I can control mine via a switch, so I've tested both ways, thats why I'ma askin')
When you get ready to start your vette do you depress the pedal all the way to the floor? That will reset the choke, closes it and sets the idle speed cam (if you have one). Pumping the gas before the start helps sometime too.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 14,376
Likes: 6,375
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
The choke richens the mixture on a cold engine from 14.7:1 to about 13:1 by restricting ariflow. The choke and its associated linkage also raises idle speed on the engine when cold. If these things aren't happening, your choke is not set up right. Also, if you engine starts the same without a choke when cold, you're running way too rich - a correctly jetted carb will run lean when cold and will not maintain idle or good drivability until fully warmed up.
You have something set up backwards. An electric choke does not come on with power - it goes off with power.
You have something set up backwards. An electric choke does not come on with power - it goes off with power.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 9,078
Likes: 7
From: DFW TX
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
Lars didn't mention it. What happens when you turn your car on, the power to choke starts to heat it up and loosen the coil spring slowly. The slowly opens the choke flap or blade. It's just a little oven.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
Ideally, you would want to find a power source that goes hot when the engine actually starts, but it can be difficult to find such a power source, especially on older cars that didn't come with an electric choke. The aforementioned power sources will work, but keep in mind that when the ignition key is on ACC, like if you were listening to the radio with the engine off, the choke will be heating up, and will be open if you try to start the car right away. This can burn out the bimetal element that males the choke operate, too, if left on long enough without the engine running. There is a small air draw through the choke housing when the engine is running, caused by manifold vacuum, which is used to keep the element from getting too hot, and also opens the choke flap a little bit once the engine starts, through the use of what is called a pullover valve. An electric choke isn't all that complicated, but there is a little more to it than it may first appear.
Keep the shiny side up!
Scott
Keep the shiny side up!
Scott
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
6th Gear
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Lake Ariel PA
Good stuff fellas.....I was able to determine the ING spot on fuse panel is "Hot" when key is in "On" position, with test light to choke connection. I initially put positive wire to "ACC" spot on fuse panel and found it was "Hot""All"the time. Even with car off,key out. It drained my battery......Hence "ACC" spot is not an option on '81
Enjoy the Bird
Enjoy the Bird
