Seeking Edgeucation on a Divorce Choke

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Working on a 1971 C-10. The choke was pulled off this decades ago in favor a manual choke, but time to bring it back to it's former glory I know very little about.

Guy I've known 50 years rebuilt the original Rochester quad & set me up for a choke. He ended up getting a Edelbrock spring thermostat kit. Really, I may try to talk him into sending back, if I knew yesterday what I think know today Doesn't even come with the right screw 8-32 for original manifolds BTW.

I'm not touching the link right, save that business for the guy who's done this before but I think I have a general idea. Apparently that spring pushes the linkage up, opening the valve (flapper) in the front carb when it warms up. Anyway, so I mounted this just to see, doesn't look right to me.

I found the original thermo. springs. Less 1-2 of the "original" I've seen the end of the spring for the linkage face forward, this Edelbrock faces rear. Which is right, and can the spring be turned around on the spindle?

Picture of an original 402 set-up appreciated. Same for any input, thank you.

[OL SKOOL]

That set up on mine with the divorced choke always gave me trouble. I changed it over to a manual choke also. They recently came out with an electric choke for that. I purchased one but haven't installed it yet in the middle of an off frame.. The co. is Quadrajet power i tried to load the pic for you but i guess not good enough with the computer. I had an electric choke on another quadrajet with the round dial and loved it. So keep that in mind gives you an option.

[Rich72C10]

Perhaps it is this?

https://quadrajetpower.com/electric-...350-400-71-78/

Edit - seems I forgot I have one, got it last year but my brother didn't see the need to install it (though I am sure I'll get to it). This is from Mike's carburetors https://www.carburetor-parts.com/

[Davidf]

Originally Posted by 71CHEVYSHORTBED402

Working on a 1971 C-10. The choke was pulled off this decades ago in favor a manual choke, but time to bring it back to it's former glory I know very little about.

Guy I've known 50 years rebuilt the original Rochester quad & set me up for a choke. He ended up getting a Edelbrock spring thermostat kit. Really, I may try to talk him into sending back, if I knew yesterday what I think know today Doesn't even come with the right screw 8-32 for original manifolds BTW.

I'm not touching the link right, save that business for the guy who's done this before but I think I have a general idea. Apparently that spring pushes the linkage up, opening the valve (flapper) in the front carb when it warms up. Anyway, so I mounted this just to see, doesn't look right to me.

I found the original thermo. springs. Less 1-2 of the "original" I've seen the end of the spring for the linkage face forward, this Edelbrock faces rear. Which is right, and can the spring be turned around on the spindle?

Picture of an original 402 set-up appreciated. Same for any input, thank you.

I believe it is installed backwards. The spring eyelet should be on the front side and the rod should be rotated 180 degrees.

[Happy_dan]

This is a 327 and not a BB but I imagine it's the same.

I know the cover is on, sorry don't have a picture with it off but if you need it, I can get one.

The little hook that goes into the spring goes in the slot in the cover then into the spring from the front of the engine side of the spring. Hope that makes sense.

[mr.mud1]

Originally Posted by Happy_dan

This is a 327 and not a BB but I imagine it's the same.

I know the cover is on, sorry don't have a picture with it off but if you need it, I can get one.

The little hook that goes into the spring goes in the slot in the cover then into the spring from the front of the engine side of the spring. Hope that makes sense.

i just went out to take the very same picture of my 67 327 and to say it's no big block.i think it is 180 out?the divorced choke on my 327 motor works perfect,never a problem.my big block 72 truck will be the same,it's supposed to be leaving Utah today but i'll see if the man can send a picture to me of the choke area before it goes,or if it goes??that's the million $ question.Greg

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by Davidf

I believe it is installed backwards. The spring eyelet should be on the front side and the rod should be rotated 180 degrees.

I think so too. Thank you and other responses too.

Yeah those elect. chokes above are super, I won't have a wire for it If I ever get a wire harness I mean, another hostage of COVID.

[HO455]

This may help. Photo of a 73 454 I harvested from the interweb. I also found the same choke stove arrangement on 70 BBC corvettes.

[Accelo]

GM did an awesome job on this choke set up, in my humble opinion.
Be sure the intake manifold pass through hasn't been bypassed or plugged with carbon.
Confirm the Exhaust heat riser is functioning.
Be sure the can/cover that covers the spring, that sets on the intake, is installed.
My bet is it will function like new it the complete system is working.
Rick

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by HO455

This may help. Photo of a 73 454 I harvested from the interweb. I also found the same choke stove arrangement on 70 BBC corvettes.

Nice clear picture and looks exactly right, thank you.

Originally Posted by Accelo

GM did an awesome job on this choke set up, in my humble opinion.
Be sure the intake manifold pass through hasn't been bypassed or plugged with carbon.
Confirm the Exhaust heat riser is functioning.
Be sure the can/cover that covers the spring, that sets on the intake, is installed.
My bet is it will function like new it the complete system is working.
Rick

Shoot, now I have to pull the manifold Kidding, it's good to go. I was telling my brother today there must be 20ish parts to a cold start, what a cool system. Once I figure out the make-up of a choke I'd like to learn how to adjust the carb. Better we do it then some garage used to fuel injection & computers.

[HO455]

You might find some information of interest in this article.

https://www.hemmings.com/stories/art...oke-adjustment

[Steeveedee]

Originally Posted by HO455

This may help. Photo of a 73 454 I harvested from the interweb. I also found the same choke stove arrangement on 70 BBC corvettes.

Same exact setup on my '70 402, (original carburetor).

[Grumpy old man]

Is this the one your looking for ?

https://quadrajetparts.com/divorced-...1208-p-70.html

quadrajetparts.com

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

Is this the one your looking for ?

https://quadrajetparts.com/divorced-...1208-p-70.html

quadrajetparts.com

I think the end on the spring for the link is supposed face forward, that one is like the Edlebrock facing rear. The correct part number shows both directions assuming sellers know what they're selling, though most are facing forward.


I ordered a clone of Classic Industries. Seems to be right but I'm stumped on the differences on the swivel brackets for lack of a better term - where the link attaches, for example. https://www.classicindustries.com/pr...rts/k0110.html

Come to think of it, I have a Rochester off my 72 Wish it was still on really. Still has the choke to the carb, the spring was gone when a former owner favored a different manifold and no choke. Nice to see confirmation the 71 is right on the carb at least.

Found one with the same set up as my carbs and has the spring and hood too, this has to be right. Link is in front and it's plumb. I think I want a rectangular hood now How many parts for the same thing are too many?

[geezer#99]

You need to be sure to use the thicker (about 1/4 inch) gasket for the carb to intake.
Can get interference on the linkage from some of the caps.

BTW it’s not a spring.
It’s a bi-metallic coil.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by geezer#99

You need to be sure to use the thicker (about 1/4 inch) gasket for the carb to intake.
Can get interference on the linkage from some of the caps.

BTW it’s not a spring.
It’s a bi-metallic coil.

I meant bi-metallic coil Thank you. Wasn't sure on the carb gasket so I went with 1/4" like what was pulled. I know the carb came off at least once before for a rebuild.

Here's one cooling:

Bi-metal Torsioanl Thermostat Spring Sped UP -...

[pjmoreland]

I grabbed this off a 73 small block truck at a wrecking yard this morning. I'd be happy to send it your way if it is of any value to you. It's pretty crusty.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by pjmoreland

I grabbed this off a 73 small block truck at a wrecking yard this morning. I'd be happy to send it your way if it is of any value to you. It's pretty crusty.

Appreciate the offer, but I have one on the way. That one is backwards what I need, though there might be a way to turn them on the spindle.

[pjmoreland]

Sounds good

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

I haven't cinched the carb down yet, but this looks right to me or close enough for an adjustment.

[Davidf]

Bingo

[Rich72C10]

Originally Posted by Rich72C10

Perhaps it is this?

https://quadrajetpower.com/electric-...350-400-71-78/

Edit - seems I forgot I have one, got it last year but my brother didn't see the need to install it (though I am sure I'll get to it). This is from Mike's carburetors https://www.carburetor-parts.com/

I installed my kit that I got about this time last year this weekend. The install was not all that hard at all and I can say this electric choke is working light years better than the OEM one. It's isn't too ugly either.

I'd wished I had installed it a little earlier when the weather was much cooler but even low 60s I can see it clearly operate. My test drive I hardly let it run more than 30 seconds before pulling out. Pretty smooth operation, best I have had and before I'd always let her idle a lot more before pulling out to drive.