Do I need a choke
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 473
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh NC
Do I need a choke
I am considering the purchase of BB with an 850 Holley with no choke. The car is located in a very warm climate now, but I will be relocating the car to more typical climate where it is cold 3-4 mos. out of the year.
Will I need to buy a choke kit and install a choke?
Will I need to buy a choke kit and install a choke?
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 3,631
Likes: 14
From: Fountain Hills AZ
Re: Do I need a choke (hudman)
Depends on how much convenience you want. Like Chris said, it should start ok without a choke but you will probably need to keep your foot on the gas for awhile until it warms up some. If you want a choke, assuming that the carb has the choke horn, adding one isn't much of a problem.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,407
Likes: 2
From: Carmichael CA
Re: Do I need a choke (hudman)
Fuel mixture ratios depend on temperature, when the mixture isn't right then the mixture will not ignite, may partially ignite, or might burn nicely. Carbs are designed to provide proper mixture when the engine warms up, and if it's not warmed up then it will miss, foul, and generally run really rough. Without a choke you could pump the gas pedal to keep shooting extra fuel into the carb using the accelerator pump. Or, you could lift up the hood every morning and put some duct tape across the carb and attach some string to it and run it into the cab so when it warms up you could pull the tape off.
Or, perhaps installing the proper choke. It always defies reason as to what an owner does, so the decision is always yours:crazy:
Or, perhaps installing the proper choke. It always defies reason as to what an owner does, so the decision is always yours:crazy:
Senior Member since 1492
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 87,928
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From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
Re: Do I need a choke (hudman)
Will you use the car as a daily driver? If so you will probably like the convenience of an electric choke. When I bought my '70 it had an electric choke. I could never get it adjusted quite right----opening enough and long enough. I switched to a Holley with a 750(not because of the choke) and a manual choke, and I have it locked in the open position. It takes a few minutes for the engine to warm up and I usually keep the revs high(1500) for about a minute or so. Then I release the pedal and it'll usually idle properly. I then let it idle there for another couple min.
I don't mind the inconvenience of no choke but I don't drive my Vette every day.
I don't mind the inconvenience of no choke but I don't drive my Vette every day.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,160
Likes: 0
From: Ajax Ontario
Re: Do I need a choke (1970 Stingray)
I'd go with the choke on the presumption you intend to drive your car during the winter months. I finally tinkered enough with my electric choke that I think it is now perfect. Nice not to have the car stumble and cough when cold and a lot safer!
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,390
Likes: 39
From: North Brunswick NJ
Re: Do I need a choke (hudman)
hudman,
The choke is a good thing to have. Without it eveytime you feather the gas to keep it running you are spraying raw gas into the cylinders from the excelerator pump and wiping the oil from the cylinder wall. This will cause rapid wear. As Lars has mentioned the performance gain would be very small.
Ed
The choke is a good thing to have. Without it eveytime you feather the gas to keep it running you are spraying raw gas into the cylinders from the excelerator pump and wiping the oil from the cylinder wall. This will cause rapid wear. As Lars has mentioned the performance gain would be very small.
Ed
