Hello all, I just bought an Olds Q jet, that has the integral choke. I was thinking of using an electric choke coil out of a newer carb ~ 1980, because I have no heat in my intake. If I can get a $5.00 choke thermostat from the junkyard, I'd be way ahead of the game Vs getting a $30.00 conversion kit from carbs unlimited.. Has any one of you done this? Thanks! Andrew
Though this is not the way the factory did it, you could use the ignition switched voltage to the choke, allowing the choke to heat only with the key on. Bear in mind that the choke will need to be on longer, especially in very cold weather. If there is no carb heat, it is also possible for the primaries to freeze up. This could occur at temps below 40 degrees, with high humidities, say, above 50%. If the engine suddenly bogs, then quits, and restarts after a few minutes, this is likely the cause.
www.carbsunlimited.com has electric choke plates for the integral choke. I think I paid $20 for mine.
It may be true that he lives in Fla., but he might want to travel with the car, which would be a joy in itself, however, should he decide to do so, he might encounter this situation, and not having been informed, might start chasing a ghost. Extra knowledge is never a bad thing. Ray
I did this with the '76 455 in my '85 chevy truck. I took the electric element from the original 305's carb, and put it in the '76 carb. This setup works well, actually better than I thought it would. I have cold-started my truck in temps ranging from about 35F to 85F since installing it, and it actually seems to work better when the ambient temps are colder! When I start it with a warmer outside temp, the choke seems to pull off a tad too quickly. The original circuit employed an oil pressure switch, so that the choke coil would only be energized when the engine is running. If you do not use this, you will not want to let your ignition key set in the 'on' position with the motor turned off at all prior to a cold start, or the choke will begin to pull off before the motor is even started. Good Luck :beer
Thanks! This is exactly what I am thinking. I do prefer a choke for two reasons. The drivability and the high idle. The heat is completely blocked off on my intake, and with a good size cam, the car doesn't like to idle cold. If I can use a simple later electric thermostat, I'd be way ahead of the game. What I found at carbs unlimited looks like $29.95 plus shipping.
Oh, and thanks for the input about the wiring. I have my Holley elec. choke wired into a key on power source and will wire the Q jet the same way.
