The Choke by Keith Ansell

How do you use one properly? There are a few things that make the choke easy to use, let your car start quickly, and proper use of the choke will extend the life of your engine:

Number 1

When you pull the choke out it opens the throttle a small bit at the same time (IF it has been properly set). (Click here to review Mike Ash’s Tech Session on Choke Cable and Lever Adjustment). Want to make it easier pulling out the choke? Push the throttle (accelerator pedal) about half way open (down toward the floor) BEFORE pulling out the knob. You will find that it usually pulls easier and will lock easier. Take your foot of the accelerator pedal and then hit the starter.

Number 2

There is no accelerator pump on an S.U. or Stromberg carburetor. Pumping the accelerator will not assist in starting such as happens on American or Weber carburetors. Got Weber(s) in your car? When starting on a cold day, pull on the choke, pump the accelerator three times quickly to the floor, set the throttle about ¼ to the floor and hit the starter. Varrroom!

Number 3

If the choke knob tends to rotate out of the lock position you will need to loosen the cable clamp at the carburetors and twist it so that it tends to turn the knob to the lock position. Many times people install choke cables without this step. This step IS necessary to give a good lock. The locking mechanism on choke cables will wear out and sometimes the cables do need to be replaced.

Number 4

You only need to use the choke when the engine is very cold and then pull it out ALL THE WAY. A partial choke doesn’t work well. Have someone check that the choke is working properly. Temperature over 140 degrees, you don’t need the choke.

Number 5

After the car starts you need to consider pushing the choke partway in. What you are looking for is that the engine starts to run smoothly as you SLOWLY push the choke in. As soon as you can feel and hear it running relatively smoothly you will need to pull the choke back out just a little. Now start to drive.

Number 6

ALWAYS drive the car immediately after you start it. An idling car is destroying the engine, cold or hot! A lot of lubrication is done by the engine speed throwing oil around in the engine – an idling engine does not oil the pistons, rings, camshaft and many other parts. Don’t idle the engine, if you MUST keep the engine running for long times, accelerate the engine to 1700 rpm or higher for short times about every 30 seconds. These “blips of the throttle” throw oil up where it is needed.

Number 7

When you see the temperature gauge starting to move (140 degrees) it’s time to release the choke completely and just drive!

If the car bucks, misses or just doesn’t immediately drive well when it is cold, something is wrong: either you are not using the choke correctly or the carbs need adjusting.