This weekend, the world's slowest auto mechanic finally got around to checking out why the choke was not opening as quickly as it should. Thanks to Mike Higgins suggestion, I investigated the tube from the manifold to the bakelite housing -- it was indeed loose, and apparently the lack of draw from the manifold resulted in the coil not warming as it should. I addressed this, but then I was struck by something else: I heard a "sucking" sound I hadn't noticed before. I put my finger at the base of the choke housing, and could feel suction from a round hole at the base. When I capped it with my finger, the choke valve deflected slightly (I forget which direction now), and this was repeatable. I dug out my other carburetor from the basement -- this carb had a plug in this location! I'm guessing that, when I had the carburetor currently on the car rebuilt, the guy forgot to plug it -- after all, the hole is too big to permit unfiltered air to enter the carburetor. Am I correct in this? But then, I have another question: Since my shop manual indicates there's a piston in the choke assemble that traverses the cylinder leading to the hole -- wouldn't plugging it interfere with its operation? What's the purpose of this piston anyway? And how come, when I take the cap off the permatex, I get it all over myself?! Oops -- unrelated question. adTHANKSvance, Dan, TWSAM '55 Savoy |