Electronic choke thermostat?

[BigAsAWhale]

Wish me luck I am going to try and make an electric choke, work for my AFB. I bought another used divorce choke that doesn't work either.

I bought my carb rebuild kit, over 4 years ago, from Mike's Carburetor out of Washington. I noticed that he had a supplier that provided many electric chokes for different carbs, but none for my AFB model.

I got a very helpful and knowledgeable Gabrielle on the phone, I told her my situation and mentioned that I could fabricate some kind of bracket, if I just had the components to make it work. I gave her my carb model and she said she would call the supplier and get back with me in the afternoon.

I really wasn't really expecting a positive outcome, especially with my situation being translated second hand, but she came through for me and this might actually work. The key to this is there is a heat sensor to replace the divorce choke, I had not come across this in any other electric choke. There is also a nice long choke rod that I am hoping I can manipulate and shorten in a way to make it work.

I won't have if for a week, but I will pass on my progress.

View attachment 121007

I used that same type of kit. The rod is easily modified to fit. It seemed to draw a fair amount of current so I put in a relay to eliminate any issues with the old wiring.

 

[Zymurgy]

I used that same type of kit. The rod is easily modified to fit. It seemed to draw a fair amount of current so I put in a relay to eliminate any issues with the old wiring.

Great to hear someone has already used this set up with success. Thanks for the tip on the relay, will order one now.

 

[Zymurgy]

Do you have the same carb as mine BigAsAWhale? If so could you share a picture of where and how you mounted the choke?

 

[BigAsAWhale]

No, mine is a 2bbl on a 383. Basically the electric choke bracket bolted on the manifold where the original choke went. I modified the linkage to fit. I'll get a pic for you.

 

[rags]

if the choke kit you purchased doesn't work out, you might still consider the edelbrock kit. the thermostat housing contains the pulloff and attaches using the screw holes for your current pulloff plus a third hole which is present but not currently used. the nipple for the pulloff vacuum is removed and vacuum is supplied from that port through a gasket provided with the kit to to the pulloff in the housing. the shaft, levers, and linkage in the kit will not apply, so linkage would have to be fabbed but this is minor. good luck either way. SG

 

[Zymurgy]

if the choke kit you purchased doesn't work out, you might still consider the edelbrock kit. the thermostat housing contains the pulloff and attaches using the screw holes for your current pulloff plus a third hole which is present but not currently used. the nipple for the pulloff vacuum is removed and vacuum is supplied from that port through a gasket provided with the kit to to the pulloff in the housing. the shaft, levers, and linkage in the kit will not apply, so linkage would have to be fabbed but this is minor. good luck either way. SG

Thanks for you information, the vacuum nipple on my carb is what had me concerned about that set up. It is good to understand that the edelbrock thermostat better, and that it could be a viable option too.

 

[Zymurgy]

I decided to give my divorce choke one more shot. It took it out and I don't know what happened but it was completely on the rich setting. I moved it to the lean setting and low and behold I have a functioning choke.

Wide open when warmed up, and the four barrel kicks right in.