Hey Guys, I just wanted to get your opinion / advice whether I should go with a Manual Choke or Electric Choke Carburator? looks like I'm going to go with the Edelbrock 1405 (manual choke) or the 1406 (electric choke) since I don't feel like buying another factory 2-barrel or having mine rebuilt. This is going on a factory 302 with the only current mod being dual exhaust. Other carb recomendations are also appreciated.
I like the elec choke - If it's set correctly it works better than manual. I run the Holley 4150-600cfm elec and it starts easy w/ just a lite tap or two depending on how cold the wx and how long it's been sitting. I don't think I want to be bothered w/ remembering to open the choke as the engine warms and have the engine running rich and erratic. Elec only IMO.
I second that. Electric choke is great. Manual choke is fine too, but I prefer not to have to fool around with it. I currently have no choke, and about ten months out of the year that's just fine in the south, so even if you went manual it would be no big deal most of the time in Florida.
I say option 3.... Fuel injection, and let the computer be the choke. Sorry, I just got back from a ridiculous January wedding my wife dragged me to. Just to remain on topic so I don't get demerit points: when I used a carb way back when, I went electric choke and never looked back. But then again I like automatic electronic gadgets that do stuff so I don't have to fool with it.
I like the manual choke. I always have because I can control when it is on and how much. If I need to slightly raise the idle to roll out of a soft spot it is the best way to do it. Electric chokes can cool off in a half hour while you are at the store getting parts and then you start the engine with the choke closed..... too much fuel! Automatic chokes are a little better because they cool off slower but they all close before the engine really needs it. If you have ever been in front of "one of those guys" at a stop light that likes the sound of his horn so much he has to use it as soon as the light turns it is fun to pull the choke all the way and flood your engine.... r,r,r,r,r,r,r,r,r,r r,r,r,r,r,r,r,r,r All the while watching him in the rear view mirror and throwing my hands in the air like I don't know whats going on. As the light turns red, the engine magically starts and there we sit at the light waiting for the next green. Funny thing is he doesn't use his horn the next time.
I like manual...either way works fine. I like manual for the "throwback" effect. Once you learn how to use the manual, it becomes automatic.
I vote neither. Install a good electronic ignition and you'll need no choke, especially in Florida. That's the first thing I remove from a Carb.
I've got the 1405 Edelbrock on my car, but do not have the choke attached. It is a little hard to start when it is cold out, but it has never failed to start after 2 or 3 tries.
To the no choke advocates. That might work ok in warm climates or for warm wx operation; in my part of the country it degrades cold wx driveability. I drove my car up until the second week of Dec; the only reason I stop then is cuz - no heater and snow - mostly no heater core. I can start the car and let it run a few mins and drive off. I don't think that wud work to well w\ no choke. BTW - I have elec. ign. JMO
I have manual choke. Like paul said, you can set the idle a bit higher to get moving. With mine, once the engine starts, and slightly warms, it is rich enough so it doesn't want to run very well. in warm, weather, I don't need it at all
It was 20*F here this morning. My 89 Ranger has no choke. It's been sitting since friday evening in sub freezing weather. One single pump shot from the gas pedal was all it took to start it and idle on it's own. The 331 in my Comet did as well. only it takes a bit more babying with the Z303 cam to get it to idle. The Ranger has a stock F4TE roller working the valves. (Explorer cam, but with 1.7 rockers)
I am only stating no choke operation degrades cold wx driveability. Im not saying the engine won't start. That's what I have experienced in my motoring years. A lot of things involved in this hobby and life in general hinges on one's philsophy; one person likes big blocks, another small blocks. One likes manual trans, another automatic and so on. All the carb mfg I've seen in the last 50yrs put choke on all carbs exp. outboard carbs on tri-powers. I don't believe there is any benefit in removing the choke. JMO
I agree. If my carb didn't have a chokeless mainbody, it would have a choke. And it may yet end up with one. Starting isn't the problem, it's gagging on itself and generally running like crap for the first five minutes of a cold morning that I don't like. It sure does hum once it's warm though!
Faceless, where did you get a crappy carb with no choke? I also run no choke, and it is a bit difficult getting it started when it is cold out, but it runs great when it warms up. Of course, freezing everyday the past 4 or 5 days, and I haven't even attempted to start the car up... Not worth the hassle. I used electric choke in past on a 1406 and it worked pretty much flawlessly.
