Is a choke REALLY necessary?

[ProfessorB]

I have another recent thread soliticing advice for 427W carb selection (and appreciate all the input). The question came up in my mind about chokes but no one has weighed in. I grew up in the North in the days before electronic ignition.... starting an old car on a cold morning was an ART. I even had a few clunkers where the choke didn't work..... got pretty good at getting 'em fired up anyway. Now I live in South Carolina....I have a car with no heater and no top....don't ever even start it in cold weather....and my carb has an accelerator pump. DO I EVEN NEED A CHOKE? :)

[bobl]

In the south you don't "need" a choke. You may have to manipulate the throttle a bit when cold. Also, the carbs made without choke towers are probably a bit richer running since they are for high performance use. One feature a choke gives you is an adjustable fast idle when cold, in addition to a richer mixture. Just makes it easier for cold start.

[Jim1855]

NO

I'm in Michigan. Early on I ran the car at 4 degrees F for one ride in February. Just a wee bit chilly. At that time, it was a vac carb with a choke, all-season tires, garage was cold.

But otherwise, I seldom took it out under 40F. Check what the tire companies say about summer performance tires in the cold.

My latest version of the car/engine/carb was no choke, no horn, double pumper. Starting was one full pump on the pedal and turn the key. Yup I had to feather it for a minute or so to build some heat but after that it was drive away.

I have no intention of running a vac and or choked carb. I see no value in those restrictions.

Jim - more? PM if so.

[Rdone585]

Another vote for NO, it's not necessary. I didn't run one in FL and I don't run one in WI. As Jim stated, you may have to babysit the gas pedal for a minute or so on cold days.

[MB750]

I'm in Florida, and I put a manual choke on my AVS2 for a couple reasons.

One, I wanted full control over my carb. I wanted to be able to tune the entire carb, including how the choke affected the AFR's and how the little throttle ramp increased the throttle as I pulled the knob.

Two, I have no idea if I'll ever be somewhere cold with it, so I wanted it.

My starting sequence doesn't even use it. I turn the key and fuel pump on, pump the throttle a few times, then crack the throttle and key the starter. It kicks over after a couple cranks, then I blip the throttle a couple times to make sure it settles down. If the idle is somewhat low I'll give the choke (fast idle) a yank just to bump the RPM's a bit, but it's not enough to actually change the AFR's because of how I have it adjusted.

[cv2065]

I have one but living in Florida I just crack the throttle open half way to get a squirt and it starts right up. I'll use the choke to get a faster warmup sometimes.

[Mike.Bray]

My starting sequence doesn't even use it. I turn the key and fuel pump on, pump the throttle a few times, then crack the throttle and key the starter. It kicks over after a couple cranks, then I blip the throttle a couple times to make sure it settles down. If the idle is somewhat low I'll give the choke (fast idle) a yank just to bump the RPM's a bit, but it's not enough to actually change the AFR's because of how I have it adjusted.

Ah, the benefit of youth. At my age I would have to write that down to remember it.

[MB750]

Ah, the benefit of youth. At my age I would have to write that down to remember it.


LOL! Actually, when I would stroll thru the local hot-rod dealership (Streetside Classics) I noticed a number of the cars had a small index card taped to the dash. When I stuck my head into a Cobra, it was starting instructions. :D

[Mike.Bray]

LOL! Actually, when I would stroll thru the local hot-rod dealership (Streetside Classics) I noticed a number of the cars had a small index card taped to the dash. When I stuck my head into a Cobra, it was starting instructions. :D

I actually do have a start procedure for mine, not for me but for anyone else that might need to start it. Mostly because of the Digital Dawg pushbutton start system.

Press button on FOB to activate the system, start button lights up solid blue.

Transmission in neutral

Depress clutch and brake pedal, blue light should start flashing

Press start button to start the engine

If I do it this way the fuel pump can prime and the ECU boots up which takes 2-3 seconds. When I his the start button it fires right up. If I just jump in and go straight to start it cranks for a few seconds while the ECU boots up. So I have this little procedure.

[Jeff Kleiner]

My start procedure:
1) Insert key
2) Rotate clockwise

Jeff

[CraigS]

Ya know, if you have a choke and decide you really don't need it, it's easy enough to remove. Not real easy to install after the fact. May even be impossible but I have never looked into it.

[ProfessorB]

Ya know, if you have a choke and decide you really don't need it, it's easy enough to remove. Not real easy to install after the fact. May even be impossible but I have never looked into it.

. You have a valid point. A "chokeless" carb has no choke horn....might be impossible to add one. I just figured it would be cheaper, and simpler.
.
A choke is like a gun...better to have one and not need it than to need one and not have it. :)

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Turn the key to run. Instruments do a sweep thing, move key to start. Fuel injection.:D Lived in NJ during "Choke years". Almost never used it.

[StangRacer]

Ya know, if you have a choke and decide you really don't need it, it's easy enough to remove.

I don't know Craig... Have you seen the new Holleys? The choke butterfly has pressed indentions on either side of the shaft that hold it in place. No more screws. I went out tonight to remove the choke from my 4776 and tried to pull the butterfly out of the slot milled through the shaft. I gave up for fear I would damage something.

I have never run a choke on any Holley. I have raced on conditions that were well below freezing and never had an issue... hit the pedal a couple of times, press the starter button, let the engine spin over for a couple of seconds, then flip the switch for the ignition.

[MB750]

My start procedure:
1) Insert key
2) Rotate clockwise

Jeff

You young whipper-snappers with your fancy gadgets and whizbang electronic doodads... ;)

[Mike.Bray]

My start procedure:
1) Insert key
2) Rotate clockwise

Jeff

I tell myself mine is harder to steal. At least they won't drive it away.

[F500guy]

Just a note, Holley is having a sale so 150-180 off some of the DP's. I Decided I may push my paint off to next year, which means I need to look at the real carb I want to get...

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