I am sure this has been covered but I didn't really find any definative answers in my searches. The car I am getting has a Carter AFB on it. Previous owner doesn't really like it and I'd rather run a Q-Jet. The problem is that there is no choke provision on the S-Divider intake that is on the car. I know I can run a divorced choke or an electric choke, but I haven't really been able to find exactly what I'll need/what it takes to do these conversions. I'd prefer the electric choke route unless someone sways me the other way (I'm sort of on the fence, so I'd just like to hear arguements). I've got a 750cfm Q-Jet from a 71-72 GS350 (I can't remember exactly, I'll get the numbers) that I was thinking of having rebuilt, but I figured I might as well get the choke situation taken care of on the rebuild. I will drive this car deep into the end of the season (until the first snowfall) and early in the next season so a choke is neccesary to keep me from sitting in the car with my foot on the pedal for 5 minutes while it warms up. Also, I read somewhere that a properly built Q-Jet without a choke would warm the car up within a minute or two, and a minute or two I can stand. So, any advice, experience, etc... is greatly appreciated. Thanks!
See the article on the site below for the Edelbrock intake. I use the chevy style choke set-ups and never had a problem.
You can convert an older Q jet to electric choke with a little work. Best donor sources are computer controlled Q jets cause they are usually darn near free at swap meets and low mileage. You'll need to swap throttle shafts and the obvious electric choke housing. I run this conversion on my Regal and LeSabre with no troubles.
Thanks Dan :TU: I am going to take a look at the parts and the effort for both the Divorced and the Electric and I'll see what there is. I'm not real comfortable taking apart/putting together Carb's, but I guess its about time I get there. Eric
I forgot to mention that this will change the mount for the choke pull-off too. I overcome this with a custom bracket. I'm gonna try over the next few weeks to take photos and do a step by step of this conversion.
thanks again Dan. I'll have two carbs to play with - both 4bbl Q-Jets. I'm hoping one of the ones I've got are "good enough" to run the car (the AFB thats on it is having issues, as previously stated) without the off idle bog that bugs me to no end. I look forward to that tutorial - even just a few photos of the bracket would be good. Thanks again
To my recollection, there should be no iiues with the choke pull-offs, regardless of the carb used. All of the Qjets I ever saw had a pulloff, whether electric choke or not. Just be sure that the pull-off is for the carb in question, and go from there. The conversion should be direct, as the cover is the same, except for the need to remove the gasket, for grounding concerns. The electricity can be tapped from the coil +, but may require different fusing. Relays are more involved, but ultimately less confusing. I'll answer any questions you may have. Ray
Eric: Just my 2 cents - for what it's worth... I have never run a choke on my Q-Jet - I also have my mainfold passages blocked off so I can't really use the divorced choke. My car has never been used as a daily driver, only took it out when I wanted to go for a cruise. It always starts (just did this afternoon, rainy day here), I just need to pump the pedal a little more than usual. I feather the pedal for about a minute, and then let it idle until the car warms up. The only reason I'm posting this is to let you know that it is possible to run a QJ without a choke. I realize it may not work for everyone, but this is what works for my car. -Paul
Well....the pull off used in situations were the choke has the large round housing (used for electric or manifold heat) will need to bolt to the carb body at the left side top near the front. Problem is that the older carbs with the divorced chokes have a different body and no provisions for that style pull-off to bolt to. Thats were the custom bracket comes in. Paul is right, you can run one without a choke if you want. I just prefer blocked heat passages and electric choke action for quick starts .
ITs not really the starting that I am worried about, as I did run my 2bbl with no choke for a while, its the fact that my car wont idle at all within the first 5-7 minutes I've got it running so I've gotta sit there with my foot 1/4 down on the throttle to keep it going. Now, that was my Skylark and it wasn't exactly running WELL, per say, so maybe this new car will be different. I can live without a choke - I just figured why not add one since I do drive the car as long as possible and even in some cold cold air :TU: Thanks for the comments, hopefully this discussion will continue!
I am not positive here, however, I do not recall ANY Qjet not having accommodations for the pull-off, regardless of the application. It may be necessary to use the factory set up, however, the pull off is used on ANY Qjet. Some may be mounted at the rear, some at the front, or both, depending on the application. They ALL had a pull-off. It will require the use of thge round housing type of choke, as opposed to the manifold stove type, but the rest is easy. Ray
Its not a case of one having a provision for a pull-off and one not. Its a case of different mounting bosses for different style pull-offs. I'll try to take pics later
