How to Set Fuelie Electric Choke?

[Bob B.]

Hi all,

My 60-61 FI unit is running too rich and I have done the checks of the CSV valve and it seems okay - holds vacuum sucking on it and engine runs the same with it as installed or the tubes plugged off.

I am thinking that my electric choke needs adjusting since that apparently controls the signal to the cold enrichment diaphragm.

My cover has no alignment mark on it, and I am finding little in the way of how to do an initlal adjustment without the mark. Further, I understand that FI tuners do not use the mark anyway but somehow do it by trail and error.

I have the '58 shop manual and several others, but they always refer to the mark.

So, can someone give me a procedure to set this correctly without the alignment mark?

Thanks,

Bob

[John D.]

Re: How to Set Fuelie Electric Choke?

Bob, Explanation typing isn't easy. I could do a better job if you CALL me, 724-832-3786
On the 58-61 enrichment housings aka choke (No chokes on FI's until 1962) here is how I do it. After I am done I use my AC/DC converter and test the operation is using 12.3-12.4 volts.
The last part I put on a restoration of the above is the felt filter. My object is to "set" the large pin aka power boost pin so it is depressed about 1/4-1/3 the way in.. Not an exact science. To do that I use my LED flash light to look in the small hole where the felt goes. I have the bakelite cover on the loose side. I rotate the cover clockwise and watch the power boost pin being depressed. I go back and forth to get a feel of it and when satisfied I gently tight up the 3 of 8/32 x 5/16 cad plated fillister screws. The retainer is under the screws of course.
Then I use my tester and set my timer to see how long its going to take to go from the high step on the fast idle cam to off the cam which is regular idle. Gail Parsons told me that time period varies. Gail said anywhere from 4 to 6 minutes. I think 6 is too long.
Some of the new covers today do not get hot enough., Hence the long period of time. Solution is to put the proper insulating material under the toaster like coil of wire.
Typically I end up with about 4-1/2 minutes. Fast idle to regular idle. Then I put this in my notes for the customer.
Confused gang? I don't blame you. To do the above and learn the above as taken me an eon.
I forgot an important step. When installing the enrichment aka choke cover make sure the bottom lever of the assembly is in the middle of the two pins. So you don't bend them.
Last of all. If you have the large pin aka power boost pin depressed to far the car will run rich too long.
The same idea applies to the '57's but it's not as easy to do. '57's do not have a CSV.
If you do not have a strong enough power boosts signal the engine will be difficult to start. We blame this on the cranking signal valve Bob when in fact it could be the setting I attempted to explain above.
Try this. If you have trouble call me. Please do not email me with the above. Also I cannot handle messenger.
Use the phone. Thanks so much, John

[Bob B.]

Re: How to Set Fuelie Electric Choke?

John,

Thanks for the detailed reply!!! I have been going through the shop and other manuals, so I pretty much understand what you are saying and am heading to the shop to do it. I'll definitely give you a holler if I'm still not where I should be.

Thanks,

Bob