Q: Why would somebody remove the choke?
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2024
Posts: 50
Likes: 14
From: Rockwall, Texas
Q: Why would somebody remove the choke?
Hi everyone!
i am watching an auction an BaT and the vette in question has been through an engine rebuild. Before the rebuild the choke was removed. Sadly, after the rebuild, the choke was not added back to the engine.
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/19...e-38/#comments
The seller says that the Vette will start with some starter fluid.
What is the reason behind removing the choke in the first place? The car looks very nice, but the missing choke and the low hanging exhaust pipes in the back have me puzzled.
Is fixing a missing choke an expensive thing or relatively minor?
Marcus
i am watching an auction an BaT and the vette in question has been through an engine rebuild. Before the rebuild the choke was removed. Sadly, after the rebuild, the choke was not added back to the engine.
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/19...e-38/#comments
The seller says that the Vette will start with some starter fluid.
What is the reason behind removing the choke in the first place? The car looks very nice, but the missing choke and the low hanging exhaust pipes in the back have me puzzled.
Is fixing a missing choke an expensive thing or relatively minor?
Marcus
Last edited by Xerico; Jul 16, 2024 at 08:59 PM.
1967 Pedal Car Champion
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 9,140
Likes: 4,248
From: US-PNW
It's not expensive to replace the choke spring, cover, and linkage as long as the current carb has the butterfly and its own linkage.
The exhaust could probably be adjusted to not hang as low.
There's a lot to undo on that car.
The exhaust could probably be adjusted to not hang as low.
There's a lot to undo on that car.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,683
Likes: 3,137
From: Shamong, NJ
If the car had it's original intake manifold and carburetor the total cost for the choke spring, cover and rod would be $35-$40.
I don't really know what that car would need to put a choke on it, the intake has provision for the stock spring type divorced choke, but I don't know if that Holley carb would accept the choke rod for a stock choke. Neither the Holley carb or the high rise intake on that car look stock or correct for a 68. And if you weren't aware, the engine is not original and it seemed the seller went out of his way not to answer that question when asked by bidders.
$30,500 seems like all the money in the world for that car to me, but the reserve was not met.
I don't really know what that car would need to put a choke on it, the intake has provision for the stock spring type divorced choke, but I don't know if that Holley carb would accept the choke rod for a stock choke. Neither the Holley carb or the high rise intake on that car look stock or correct for a 68. And if you weren't aware, the engine is not original and it seemed the seller went out of his way not to answer that question when asked by bidders.
$30,500 seems like all the money in the world for that car to me, but the reserve was not met.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23,375
Likes: 1,067
From: Virginia USA
If something as simple as a choke being left off and not fixed I'd hate to find out what was left off or missing on something more vital. If I were playing over 30g's for a vintage car I want ALL of the vintage car, including the choke.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 2,718
Likes: 2,163
From: Minnesota
Lots of fishy stuff in the story the guy tells. Not only does he ignore the questions asking if the engine is numbers matching. He says in the five years he’s owned it he spent thousands of dollars getting it all rebuilt, then only drove the car less than 20 miles. Either he’s so rich he wouldn’t even blink at a 68’ roadster with a souped up big block or something else isn’t adding up.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2024
Posts: 152
Likes: 36
From: Katy, Texas
If the car had it's original intake manifold and carburetor the total cost for the choke spring, cover and rod would be $35-$40.
I don't really know what that car would need to put a choke on it, the intake has provision for the stock spring type divorced choke, but I don't know if that Holley carb would accept the choke rod for a stock choke. Neither the Holley carb or the high rise intake on that car look stock or correct for a 68. And if you weren't aware, the engine is not original and it seemed the seller went out of his way not to answer that question when asked by bidders.
$30,500 seems like all the money in the world for that car to me, but the reserve was not met.
I don't really know what that car would need to put a choke on it, the intake has provision for the stock spring type divorced choke, but I don't know if that Holley carb would accept the choke rod for a stock choke. Neither the Holley carb or the high rise intake on that car look stock or correct for a 68. And if you weren't aware, the engine is not original and it seemed the seller went out of his way not to answer that question when asked by bidders.
$30,500 seems like all the money in the world for that car to me, but the reserve was not met.
Jason
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Drifting
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,572
Likes: 486
From: Loud, Raw and Dangerous 1968 327 4S in Southern California
It does see odd that if seller wanted top dollar for the car it would at least be in good starting condition. Looks to me to be a bit rough, not original and worth about the $30K.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,938
Likes: 848
From: melbourne florida
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Nice looking car. So what if it doesn't have a choke, mine doesn't.even when I lived in Virginia. I had cars with no choke.it just requires a different procedure.
My bet someone has the car now that. Only drove 4 cyl Toyotas.
My bet someone has the car now that. Only drove 4 cyl Toyotas.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,740
Likes: 2,583
Everybody seems to think choke cover, spring and rod. If they remove a choke the actual flap on the primary side of the carburetor is removed. That requires breaking loose the staked screws, pulling the blade and shaft out of the airhorn. These parts may require a junk carburetor using the same parts since I'm not aware of them being sold new.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 68
Likes: 28
Everybody seems to think choke cover, spring and rod. If they remove a choke the actual flap on the primary side of the carburetor is removed. That requires breaking loose the staked screws, pulling the blade and shaft out of the airhorn. These parts may require a junk carburetor using the same parts since I'm not aware of them being sold new.
As in the choke straightens the air out to some extent.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,740
Likes: 2,583
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 961
Likes: 275
From: Frederick MD
If the car had it's original intake manifold and carburetor the total cost for the choke spring, cover and rod would be $35-$40.
I don't really know what that car would need to put a choke on it, the intake has provision for the stock spring type divorced choke, but I don't know if that Holley carb would accept the choke rod for a stock choke. Neither the Holley carb or the high rise intake on that car look stock or correct for a 68. And if you weren't aware, the engine is not original and it seemed the seller went out of his way not to answer that question when asked by bidders.
$30,500 seems like all the money in the world for that car to me, but the reserve was not met.
I don't really know what that car would need to put a choke on it, the intake has provision for the stock spring type divorced choke, but I don't know if that Holley carb would accept the choke rod for a stock choke. Neither the Holley carb or the high rise intake on that car look stock or correct for a 68. And if you weren't aware, the engine is not original and it seemed the seller went out of his way not to answer that question when asked by bidders.
$30,500 seems like all the money in the world for that car to me, but the reserve was not met.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 1,359
Likes: 822
From: Wisconsin
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Duh, because race car! Performance, man! Don't see no pansy *** chokes or even choke horns at NASCAR or down at the old drag strip 
