Hey, great site. Just got a "new" 71 Skylark Custonm Convertable and will be restoring it over the winter (maybe several winters...) The previous owner said the choke thermostat is not workingand he wired the choke open. The choke thermostat is a divorced type (coil spring that sits on the intake manifold) a real hard to find part. How do I tell if it is really gone bad, or where do I get one. Tried all the standard online catalog type places, now I'm into the "recycled" parts houses.
If there is tension on the rod when you push on it at room temperature (ie. the rod is pushing upwards), then it is in working order. As temperatures rise, the spring will lose tension, which allows the choke to open. It may just need an adjustment. You can fine tune the tension on the rod by turning the center of the spring. To do this, just insert a screw driver into the small hole on the side of the thermostat housing. Can't remember which way increases tension, but I think it is counter-clockwise to increase, clockwise to decrease.
might also need to bend the rod to adjust it. mine was a little off, so i just straightened it a bit so that the choke opened right.
