Choke vs No Choke

[Jay Bee]

Hi everyone. I'm considering replacing my Holley 4160 (no choke) with one of 2 carbs, an Edelbrock 1405 (no choke) and Edelbrock 1406 (choke). That being said I'd like to hear pros, cons, opinions and experiences between a carb with a choke and one without. The car's driven spring, summer and fall and usually when the temperature is 70*F or above. As always, thanks for any and all input.

John

[Cuda Cody]

What's the reason behind the thought of replacing it?  Are you having any issues now?

[dodj]

Hi Jay bee
I'm north of you in Thunder Bay...
I have a Proform 850 with no choke. Like you only driven in the late spring to early fall. I have never regretted my decision to go without the choke function. Cooler mornings/days i sometimes have to keep it running with a couple pumps on the pedal....but only for a minute. It's not like I use a remote to start it....I'm right there...lol
IMO....don't get a choked carb.
IMHO...if I was looking at tossing the carb I have...I would seriously look at a FI setup.

[340Challman]

I'm on the fence on this one. I too have been a no choke person in the past, but lately I have been wishing I could set a choke just so I don't have to keep wetting the carb for the first 3~4 minutes. What I'm talking about is an electric choke without the electricity to it. Set the spring very light so that when it warms up the butterfly will be fully opened, but richen it up just enough on start so I can start it and do something else while it warms up. Set the high idle just a little above warm idle. That's all. I don't winterize my cars. So it can require my butt in the seat for 5~6 minutes if it is good and cold out. Chokes notoriously need constant attention. They always seem to need to be re-adjusted. Maybe that's just my perception. I don't know. That's why I'm still on the fence. 

[Jay Bee]

What's the reason behind the thought of replacing it?  Are you having any issues now?

Not happy with the fuel mileage with the recently rebuilt Holley (2024). It's a 318, w/340 cam, bored 40 over, 3:23 Sure Grip and averaging 11.5mpg (US gal's) after jetting down to #62's. In 2024, with 66, 64 & 63's it averaged 10.5mpg. Vacuum is good, plugs look good, timing is good, power valve is good, and no fuel leaks.   

[moreparts]

I like my chokes.  I like being able to set it and forget it.  Just start it up, wait maybe a minute or so and take off.  Idling is pretty hard on the engine so the sooner I get my stuff moving the better I feel about it.

[pschlosser]

what's the problem with a choke?  don't we want easier cold starts, perhaps it's early morning. what are the downside's to having a choke, or benefits to not?

[Chryco Psycho]

the Eddy 1405/6 are junk
 Get an AVS at least
 No choke

[blown motor]

I have an Eddy electric choke and have had no problems with it in 13 years. 340 bored 60 over with a lumpy cam and I get 17 mpg on the big gallon. Are you talking 10.5 on a US gallon or an imperial gallon?

[Jay Bee]

Are you talking 10.5 on a US gallon or an imperial gallon?

That was US gallons.

[Brads70]

Another vote for no choke. I've never had a choke on any of my " fun" cars over all the years. One less thing to screw up IMO. I've always had Holley type carbs though.
If your advance curve is factory I'd start there for improving your fuel economy? Assuming all the usual suspects are checked off, vac leaks, cam not rounded off etc....

[chargerdon]

I have a 1405 with manual choke.   Pull it out on cold mornings, start it, and then in about 1 minute push it back off.   Works great

[tparker]

Out of curiosity, why no choke? I wouldn't think it would cause any difference when not engaged. But as anything, more parts mean more problems. I can see it getting out of whack and causing some issues when cold.

Personally I like manual chokes. My motorcycle and 67 sweptside have pull knobs for the chokes. I use it when needed and then turn it off when the motor stabilizes. easy peasy. Not much harder than turning the key lol. But I guess that is actually a lot of work since most cars now are push button and you don't even have to reach into the pocket for the keys. Wow are we spoiled. LOL.

But seriously, Why do people prefer no chokes? I'm guessing for performance reasons, but why?

[screamindriver]

But seriously, Why do people prefer no chokes? I'm guessing for performance reasons, but why?

One reason is some will block off the choke riser passage in the intake manifold to keep the carb cooler and avoid fuel issues like vapor lock  ...

[Katfish]

what's the problem with a choke?  don't we want easier cold starts, perhaps it's early morning. what are the downside's to having a choke, or benefits to not?

I'm wondering the same.
I'm in FL, where it rarely gets below 50.
The 340 still benefited with a electric choked Edlebrock carb.

Sorta like asking, "Should I use water or toothpaste when I brush my teeth?"
Answer seems obvious