C1 WCFB Carburator Choke issues

[Zachary H.]

A little while back I asked about choke idle issues I was having and received very helpful information, thank you. I just recently had a chance to trouble shoot some more and found the following. While removing the choke housing cover I found I am missing one out of the three screws. Also the screw holes on the part of the housing that mounts on the carburator are damaged so that on only one of three holes does the screw thread properly. The other two either need a longer screw, if possible or they catch just a few threads. Is this part of the choke housing a difficult part to find? I took a quick look on line and found allot of the covers but not the other part that mounts on the carburator.
I also question whether the spring is installed backwards on the choke housing cover. My reasons are the alignment mark on the outside of the choke cover is 180 deg from the corresponding marks of the part I need to find. Also there is a nub on the inside of the housing cover that catches the spring plate and keeps it in place. With the spring in its present orintation the end that catches the linkage is right on this nub and seems to me would prevent the spring from moving the way it should when it warms up. Does this make sense and am I correct is my thoughts? Sorry, the vette is a 1960 with the base 230 hp motor, 4 speed.
Thanks for any help.
Zach

[Dan B.]

Re: C1 WCFB Carburator Choke issues

Zach, the correct choke cover screws should be about 3/4 inch long if memory serves. Using the correct length and Fine pitch screw may allow the screws to catch if you only stripped the first few threads of your housing. Common problem, many have come to me like that. The housing itself would be expensive to replace if you can even find one and yours could be saved one way or the other either by retapping for a larger screw or repairing the existing threads. Usually just using the proper longer screw will work.

As to your second question, I would not be overly concerned that the mark on the choke cover does not line up with the housing. FUNCTION is what's important here. I have done several over the years, and some line up and some don't depending on where the cover came from originally. Lot's of mixed and matched parts on 50 + year old carbs. I set them where the cold choke feels right to me, then final adjust them on the motor after observing cold start up and operation as the engine warms making sure it ends up FULLY open when the engine is at normal operating temperature. Some engines don't like a fully closed choke plate to start. Warm climate vs. cold will also influence settings. Make sure the choke piston moves freely, and remember the choke is dependent on vacuum besides engine heat to work properly, so make sure the internal passages are clean and free of carbon build up. Dan

[Zachary H.]

Re: C1 WCFB Carburator Choke issues

Thanks Dan, I will try for the longer screws and adjust accordingly. The linkage on the other side of the carburetor that allows the motor to step down to normal idle is a little sticky so I do wonder about buildup.