Heat crossover block

[Dino]

When I ran the Edelbrock 1407 with the electric choke kit, it had a hard time starting when the engine was hot.  I installled the Felpro 1215 with crossover block and it solved the problem.

Now I have the Thermoquad in its place, without a choke, and cold start is a pain.  I want a choke again!

I realize that this is hard to do with the crossover blocked so would it be a bad idea to remove the intake and cut a hole in the pan?  Maybe smaller than usual so it's enough to make the choke work?  I don't want to get hot start issues again but with the phenolic body it may be okay?  Thoughts?

[ottawamerc]

I had the similar problem with my aluminum 6 pack manifold that had no crossover but I wanted the choke so I modified the stock choke control and added a electric heater element from another engine and the control switch. Thus far it has worked well for me

[Dino]

I had the similar problem with my aluminum 6 pack manifold that had no crossover but I wanted the choke so I modified the stock choke control and added a electric heater element from another engine and the control switch. Thus far it has worked well for me

I need to read up on these things, I have no clue how a choke works to begin with.  I do still have the Edelbrock electric choke kit but I was told that one doesn't work.  Ever since I blocked the crossover, I don't think that one worked either but the carb was running so rich it was hard to tell.

[twodko]

Dino, the block heater my be the most cost effective solution. 

Tom

[bakerhillpins]

Somewhere on this site I recall reading that if you drill small (1/4") holes in the crossover block you can keep the manual choke and still get the benefit of the blockoff.

[Brass]

Have you tried using the choke with the crossover as-is?  To my knowledge, the blocked crossover won't prevent a choke from functioning properly.  Even with the crossover blocked, the carb should still get warm enough for the choke to operate - just not hot enough to cause vapor lock.   I have both, the 1215 pan and an electric choke - no problems.  

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

I drilled a 3/8"  hole in the block off when I switched to the Carter carb.

Choke worked....couldnt tune the Carter too my liking so back on went the Holley with no choke!

[Dino]

Brass I don't have a choke for the TQ, I only have the Edelbrock e;lectric choke kit mounted on the 1407 carb.

I guess I can drill a hole, install a stock choke and see what happens.  Worst case scenario I need to remove the intake again to replace the valley pan right?

[bakerhillpins]

Wouldn't think you would need to replace it but rather just plug the hole with a scrap piece of tin.  Though I can't imagine the hole is going to remove the effectiveness of the blockoff with respect to the original goal.

[Dino]

Wouldn't think you would need to replace it but rather just plug the hole with a scrap piece of tin.  Though I can't imagine the hole is going to remove the effectiveness of the blockoff with respect to the original goal.

I never even thought of just patching it but that would work!   

I wonder if I would have any issues, especially now that the float bowl is plastic.  I'm not racing this car so if the fuel is a little hotter but I have no hot start issues then I'm fine with that.

[bakerhillpins]

I can't imagine that a .25" hole in the gasket is going to add that much extra temp to the intake. My understanding is that the the .25" inch hole simply allows it to heat up faster so the choke pulls off sooner rather than after the intake manifold heats up from natural conduction in say 20 minutes.  If you have a temp gun get the car heated up and test the intake temp. Then if you drill the .25" holes measure again and report back so we know. 

Are you worried about the plastic melting as a result of the hole in the valley pan gasket? Plastic float bowl or float?

[Dino]

I can't imagine that a .25" hole in the gasket is going to add that much extra temp to the intake. My understanding is that the the .25" inch hole simply allows it to heat up faster so the choke pulls off sooner rather than after the intake manifold heats up from natural conduction in say 20 minutes.  If you have a temp gun get the car heated up and test the intake temp. Then if you drill the .25" holes measure again and report back so we know. 

Are you worried about the plastic melting as a result of the hole in the valley pan gasket? Plastic float bowl or float?

Good plan, I'll get a temp gun tomorrow, I keep forgetting to buy one.

I'm not worried about the plastic no.  The plastic body is supposed to keep the fuel cooler so I think it'll be okay to drill the hole.  The fuel won't be as cool but should still be cooler than in an alloy body carb.

I'll drill a single hole and see what happens.  I don't know what choke I need for this thing so surf's up!

[ChargerST]

how hard is it to add an electric choke to a Thermoquad? The Superquads had them but I don't know how different they are from the regular TQs.

[Dino]

how hard is it to add an electric choke to a Thermoquad? The Superquads had them but I don't know how different they are from the regular TQs.

In general or for me?   

I honestly don't know what work is involved.  I looked at the electric choke on the Edelbrock and quickly stopped looking as smoke was starting to pour out of my ears.   

I recall reading that Australian TQ's had an electric choke as well.  I'd pay for the extra shipping to get a bolt on solution here!

[bakerhillpins]

I'll drill a single hole and see what happens.  I don't know what choke I need for this thing so surf's up!

I think you will need a hole in both sides to get some exhaust flow through the intake.

[Dino]

I'll drill a single hole and see what happens.  I don't know what choke I need for this thing so surf's up!

I think you will need a hole in both sides to get some exhaust flow through the intake.

Thanks for the warning, that would've been typical for me to assemble the whole thing only to take it apart again because my dumbass only drilled one hole.   

I'm assuming it's a bad idea to drill the pan without taking it off the engine first?   

[squeakfinder]

      Seems to me drilling with the pan on the engine would just put the waist material out the exhaust. Although it might beak the seal on the bottom side of the pan.

[Cooter]

Choke? We don't need no stinkin' Choke....

Dino, simple, yet VERY easy solution here......Just pump the hell outta the throttle and it should fire right up. Keep it running long enough for it to run on it's own and you'll be fine. Been driving my junk like this for years...Takes about 5 min. warm up in order for it to run on it's own.

[Dino]

Cooter that's what I;ve been doing lately but it's no fun for those around me.  I live in a subdivision and need to leave home quite early.  It's bad enough that the car is loud, I don't think revving it up for 5 minutes is gonna make me a lot of friends.   

And yes it does matter, I wouldn't want some jackass revving his engine while I'm sleeping either.   

I'm gonna need a choke so I'm gonna be drilling!