Exhaust to auto-choke connection...

[limey66]

OK, I'm trying to restore my '66 here in the UK, and most things are easy, but I noticed that on the R/H stock exhaust manifold there is a small hole that looks like somthing should fit into it. I've looked around and I think it's for a connection to the auto choke on the carb.

My questions are:

1) Can I omit this and still get reliable starting and running (remember I'm in the UK and not California!)
2) If I do omit this what should I fill the hole in the manifold with?
3) Where on the carb does the other end fit exactly, and should I plug that hole too.
4) Anyone know if I can buy the missing part? If so, where from?

Thanks.

 

[mustang70]

If that hole is anything like a 70, then it's for a copper tube that runs from the manifold up to the choke on the carb. It shouldn't be a problem if you leave it off. Don't worry about filling in the hole. It doesn't go through the manifold.

 

[Ozsum2]

Wrong. The tube lets heat go up and operate the choke some when the engine is cold. You should have the heater hose running through a bracket on the choke as well, but this only works once the coolant startes to heat up. If you have nothing, then the poor choke has to wait untill the engine puts out enough heat for it to work. You will be running rich. There is also another nipple for a hose to attach to and the other end goes on the carb for filtered air to enter the choke aperatus. 1 small spec of grit could jam up the choke piston.

 

[Max Power]

Those choke heat tubes worked well when new, but with age they tend to corrode and pull in cool air from pinhole leaks. Not good for heating chokes up. I am a big fan of electric chokes, and I would try to convert to one.

I haven't tried it yet, but Holley electric choke assemblys look a lot like the Autolite ones. Can one bolt a Holley electric choke on an Autolite and have it work?

 

[Ozsum2]

Those choke heat tubes worked well when new, but with age they tend to corrode and pull in cool air from pinhole leaks. Not good for heating chokes up. I am a big fan of electric chokes, and I would try to convert to one.

I haven't tried it yet, but Holley electric choke assemblys look a lot like the Autolite ones. Can one bolt a Holley electric choke on an Autolite and have it work?

I don't know, my 37 year old tube works fine. They are replaceable. I don't think they "pull" cold air in, rather they let the heat rise.

 

[Max Power]

No vacuum on the Ford ones?

It's been years since I had anything that wasn't electric.

Holley uses vacuum through the spring housing just to keep the thing from overheating!

 

[hdgapeach]

If you don't replace the pipe then plug off the port at the choke housing. If I'm not mistaken there is a small amount of vacuum that is pulled through the choke housing to pull the heated air off the manifold through the pipe and into the choke housing. I know some do I just can't remember if the Mustang carb does. If you don't hook it all up your choke will not work as designed and you might as well switch to an all electric unit.

 

[Cdaniel]

If you don't replace the pipe then plug off the port at the choke housing. If I'm not mistaken there is a small amount of vacuum that is pulled through the choke housing to pull the heated air off the manifold through the pipe and into the choke housing. I know some do I just can't remember if the Mustang carb does. If you don't hook it all up your choke will not work as designed and you might as well switch to an all electric unit.

They do pull vacuum through the exhaust manifold. The complete system requires two tubes, and it works. But the choke mechanism is very susceptible to grit getting sucked in. A miniature piston inside gets all bound up when dirty.

 

[JB66]

The Autolite 2100 pulls on the choke piston through a vacuum passage cast into the housing itself. With the choke housing removed, it looks like a small guide pin next to one of the housing retaining screws. It HAS to have a gasket there to work properly. The heat tubes are replacable with steel brake tubing and a replacement compression fitting to attach it to the choke housing with the tubing nut. Also, beware as some people trying to get a new tube installed after they rust and break off in the manifold, tend to drill too deep and drill right through into the exhaust passage. If so, get a manual choke and be done with it.

 

[limey66]

The first thing I did when I noticed the hole was to squirt some WD-40 into the hole and yup, you guessed it, it came through into the manifold...nuts.

Can you, or anyone else out there, reccommend a manual choke conversion for the ford 2V carb?

Thanks.

 

[Ozsum2]

JC Whitney has the complete kit.

 

[limey66]

JC Who-ney?

I guess I'll find them on the web and hope they ship to the Mother Country...

 

[Ozsum2]

JC Who-ney?

I guess I'll find them on the web and hope they ship to the Mother Country...

They are on the web, and won't mind sending it to you as long as you send US dollars.

 

[limey66]

Hey, plastic works on all denominations!