1963 Carter 3461 parts

[Bob R.]

I need a new choke housing for my Carter 3461 carburetor the old one had the legs bent on it and kept sticking. I tried to straighten them out but only made the problem worse. Anyone know a vendor that might sell this part?

[Dan B.]

Re: 1963 Carter 3461 parts

I don't believe the housings are being reproduced. Just about all the other choke parts are. Not sure what's wrong with yours, about the only thing that I have seen is the piston bores sometimes become enlarged and will stick when they cool down and require a poke when cold to free them to set the choke. A used part is probably what you are looking for, luckily for once (on the 63's) I don't think it is a one year only part and there should be some out there used. Dan

[Frank D.]

Re: 1963 Carter 3461 parts

I don't know what "legs" you are talking about...can you post a pic or describe them more clearly...?

[David L.]

Re: 1963 Carter 3461 parts

Bob,

According to my research of the 3461S AFB carb the back side of the choke housing is "170-786" (GM part # 3830752 in Gr. 3.750) and the choke cover has the number "170-AR-588S" (GM # 3759946 in Gr. 3.750).
Finding a NOS "170-786" housing will be quite difficult but there are used ones around. I believe that I still have a NOS 1959-1965 WCFB "170-583" choke housing (GM # 3759936) still in my collection but that does not help you.

Dave

[Bob R.]

Re: 1963 Carter 3461 parts

I am attaching a photo pf the part. by legs I mean the projections that the screws fasten too. In trying to straighten them I actually damaged/bent the center of the part and I can see a crack in it.

[Stuart F.]

Re: 1963 Carter 3461 parts

Bob,

As long as you can get the Bakelite housing to fit up to the metal housing between the legs with a gasket, and the screws will tighten the metal ring to hold it in an adjusted position, that probably isn't the problem. Does is stick when it is cold and you move it manually with the throttle cracked slightly? Does the bimetallic spring engage the tang properly so that the linkage opens and closes the choke butterfly when you are working it manually? Do you have the hear plate (disc) in place?

The most common problem I encountered over the years was with a sort of white corrosion build up in the pull off cylinder portion causing the pull off piston to bind. Sorry to say, as long as you are using a hot air tube source for heat (the original configuration) you will probably have that problem. I went so far as to remove the end plug from the cylinder to polish out the bore with Emory cloth and also polish the piston. That would last about a year then it was back to sticking. I finally got wise and converted mine to an electric choke with the heating element in the cover providing the heat source to the bimetallic spring - and never looked back. Of course, it is not irreversible. You can convert it back easily for judging.

Stu Fox

[Frank D.]

Re: 1963 Carter 3461 parts

Stu is correct; a weak spot on the WCFB and AFB carbs is the choke piston pull off ass'y. It gets carbonized easily, and, if the hot air tube is broken or cracked its even worse. I don't use emery cloth or sandpaper.....if you pop the Welch plug off the bottom of the piston cylinder and get out your gun cleaning kit and soak the cylinder and outside of the piston with a cleaning patch loaded with Hoppe's #9 solvent and a good brass brush scrub out just like your trusty .22 plinker rifle it almost always solves the problem.

Done it a dozen times...on carbs I own and those of friends...

[Duke W.]

Re: 1963 Carter 3461 parts

I recommend using Lok-Eze or equivalent on the piston and bore. It's an emulsion spherical graphic in a petroleum distillate. The distillate dries and leaves the graphite in place, which won't hold dirt and is a very good lubricant for low velocity/high load applications. Be sure the tube in the manifold is sound, and there is a tiny o-ring that seals the vacuum passage from the main body to the choke housing, which should be included in AFB zip kits. Duke Duke

[Bob R.]

Re: 1963 Carter 3461 parts

Thanks for all of the suggestions to fix the old one but it is cracked and beyond repair I am looking for a replacement

[Timothy B.]

Re: 1963 Carter 3461 parts

Bob, I had a different problem with mine in that the diameter did not seal to the bakelite cover even with a new gasket and leaked vacuum. The hot air choke is a calibrated leak. If there is a leak the choke can hang on longer than normal.

[John M.]

Re: 1963 Carter 3461 parts

Bob, I think I have this part and will check tonight. It's off a 3461 S that I was trying to rescue but the carb is too far gone.
I'll let you know.
John McRae

[Bob R.]

Re: 1963 Carter 3461 parts

Thanks , I found a carb shop that had one and ordered it yesterday

[Frank D.]

Re: 1963 Carter 3461 parts

Thanks , I found a carb shop that had one and ordered it yesterday

Good you found one. I'm still trying to figure out how those choke mounting screw "stand offs" could get bent ?!?

[Bob R.]

Re: 1963 Carter 3461 parts

I've seen them bent on many cars. I guess it's from over tightening the screws over a long period of time.

[Stuart F.]

Re: 1963 Carter 3461 parts

Frank,

I have seen many that way. I think it is from over tightening. People don't realize that the ring that holds the cover in place does not have to seat down on the housing. It has enough tension to hold and seal the cover without "torquing" it down. In the process, they crack and bend the legs, and break out part of the threads as shown in the op's photos.

Stu Fox