'72 LT-1 Choke coil

[Ross Flora]

Help, I found that my choke was not opening fully causing some motor problems. The reason was that sometime in the cars life someboby pulled the carb with the choke arm still attached and stretched the coil out so it would not function properly. I ordered the choke coil for a '72 LT-1 from Dr. Rebuild. The one I received is different than the one that was on the car. The one I received has the coil/arm attachment facing the rear of the car when installed. The one that was on the car was the opposite, the arm attachment faces the front, which, according to Doc Rebuild and Paragon, is the unit for a non LT-1 350. The coil hold down screw is between the coil and carb on my manifold. I know the manifold and the carb I have are correct for a '72 LT-1. What is the correct choke arrangment?

[Billy Olson]

Re: '72 LT-1 Choke coil

Ross,

Here is what the coil assembly looks like on my '72 LT-1 (although very dirty). This should be original. Hope this helps.

Billy

[Joe L.]

Re: '72 LT-1 Choke coil

Ross-----

First of all, the 1971 and 1972 choke thermostats for LT-1s were, essentially, the same. This choke thermostat uses an integral choke stove with "coil spring".

The 71+ choke thermostats for other engines were, basically, of the same configuration. However, there was one very important difference. The difference is the direction that the "coil spring" operates. For Holley-equipped cars, the "coil spring" MOVES in a counterclockwise direction as it heats and as viewed from the front of the engine.

The coil for Rochester-equipped cars moves in the opposite direction. In other words, as viewed from the front of the car, the coil spring MOVES in a clockwise direction as it heats and opens the choke valve.

Looking at it another way, the choke thermostat for Holley-equipped engines causes the choke rod to move DOWN to open the choke valve; the thermostat for Rochester-equipped cars causes the choke rod to move UP to open the choke valve.

So, if the choke thermostat that you have causes the choke rod to move DOWN as it heats and opens the choke valve, then you have the right thermostat.

[Billy Olson]

Re: '72 LT-1 Choke coil

Joe,

On my coil the rod does move down to open the choke as you stated it should for the Holley, but the coil rotation to actuate it is clockwise, not counter-clockwise when viewed from the right (passenger) side of the engine. Is this what you meant or is my coil not correct?

Regards,
Billy

[Joe L.]

Re: '72 LT-1 Choke coil

Billy-----

If the choke rod moves DOWN to open the choke valve, the thermostat is correct.

I was referring to the direction that the coil MOVES or "unwinds" and not the direction that the coil is WOUND.