C1: '62 FI Electric Choke

[Joel Falk]

I'm having an issue with the fast idle cam on my '62 Fuelie.

When I'm driving the car, anytime I come to a stop the car stays at the fast idle. If I blip the throttle it seems to return to the fast idle speed and then slowly ease down to the correct idle setting. This is happening at every stop, even if the car is warm. I assume there is an issue with the electric choke?

Thanks.

[G B.]

Re: C1: '62 FI Electric Choke

I can probably suggest a fix if you will e-mail some digital photos to me. I'd like to see shots of the electric choke cover (face) and all the linkage to the fast idle cam.

When you first open the throttle to cold start the car, the fast idle cam should rotate into position to keep the engine at around 1,800 rpm. After about 3 minutes of running, the bimetallic spring in the choke housing should have heated enough to rotate the fast idle cam all the way off the adjustment screw.

[G B.]

I forgot

My Top Secret e-mail address is jerrybramlett@comcast.net .

[Joel Falk]

Re: I forgot

Thank you Jerry. I'll take a few digital photos tonight when I get home and e-mail them at that time.

Looking at the face of the choke, there are two wires. One comes out of the choke and goes into a pigtail coming out of the firewall. The other comes out of the choke and attaches to a screw on the face of the choke. This second one is a regular wire partially stripped and wrapped around the wire. (Maybe a ground?)

[Ed Jennings]

Re: I forgot

The power feed should be coming from the high side of the ballist resistor, mounted on the firewall next to the wiper motor.

[G B.]

Try some adjustment

Thanks for sending the photos, Joel.

Your choke linkage looks stock. However, I noticed that the black bakelite choke cover is positioned much richer than the factory recommended setting. GM says that the index line cut into the bakelite should be set at 3 notches lean. Yours looks to be set at one notch rich. I'd reposition the bakelite cover about 3/8" clockwise. Perhaps that will allow the fast idle cam to fully clear the adjustment screw after warm-up, but I doubt it.

It's more likely that the fast idle cam linkage is not adjusted properly. Take the black air cleaner adapter off the air meter. With your fingers, hold the choke butterfly plate flat (open) while working the throttle bellcrank with your other hand. The fast idle cam should rotate to a position just beyond the adjustment screw. If it doesn't, you'll have to remove the last piece of linkage rod that is attached to the cam and bend it slightly until the cam clears the screw when the butterfly is flat.

If this is as clear as mud, please let me know. I will then have my lovely hand model, Margaret, pose with some '62 FI choke linkage for my digital camera.

[Joel Falk]

Thanks guys!

Ed and Jerry,

Thanks for the ideas (and pictures Jerry!). I'll give the adjustments you mentioned a shot and let you know how it goes.

Best regards,
Joel