Adjusting Auto Choke on 4.3 GL Vortec

[jimi]

I have read a bunch of threads on automatic chokes and want to make sure I have a clear and consistent set of instructions. So can someone confirm that this type of choke is tested as follows?

1. With engine off the choke plate should be vertical (fully open) when looking down carb throat.
2. With engine off, stroke the throttle to WOT and back to idle. The choke plate should be horizontal (almost closed ? say a 1/8 gap) when looking down carb throat.
3. verify 0 Vdc to ground on red lead.
4. Start engine. Red lead should now be +12 Vdc (some seem to say +7 Vdc but oh well).
5. As engine warms up, choke plate should rotate to vertical (open) in say 3 to 5 minutes.

 

[jimi]

Re: Adjusting Auto Choke on 4.3 GL Vortec

Anyone?

 

[Don S]

Re: Adjusting Auto Choke on 4.3 GL Vortec

1. With engine off the choke plate should be vertical (fully open) when looking down carb throat.

That is a Yes and a NO. With the engine warm, the choke will be open. If you look at it when the engine is cold, it should be closed.

2. With engine off, stroke the throttle to WOT and back to idle. The choke plate should be horizontal (almost closed ? say a 1/8 gap) when looking down carb throat

.

You do not have a stepped cam on the high idle cam. The chokes will close on their own if there isn't a lot of pressure on the throttle cable.

3. verify 0 Vdc to ground on red lead.

With your particular setup. disconnect both wires, hook your meter to the wires. With the ign. sw. off, you should have NO voltage present.

4. Start engine. Red lead should now be +12 Vdc (some seem to say +7 Vdc but oh well).

You don't even have to start the engine. With the meter still hooked up from above, turn on the ign. switch to the run position. You should see battery voltage, or close to it. (no resistor wire, you don't have points)

5. As engine warms up, choke plate should rotate to vertical (open) in say 3 to 5 minutes.

You don't even have to run the engine on an electric cloke. Hook the wires back up and turn the ign. sw. to run. The choke should open. Just raise the throttle up to about a 1/4 just to take pressure off the high idle cam.

 

[fishingman220]

Re: Adjusting Auto Choke on 4.3 GL Vortec

i have a question but i think it applies to jimi also, in the manual it says to put the spring in and then the black cover and turn it untill the choke closes, correct? what if the pointer is not in the right spot? if it doeant apply to his then i am sorry for asking a question on your thread

 

[Don S]

Re: Adjusting Auto Choke on 4.3 GL Vortec

Jimi has a Holley carb on a Volvo. Not sure what you have on your Mercruiser, but I would bet it's not a Holley, and they are a different setup.

 

[fishingman220]

Re: Adjusting Auto Choke on 4.3 GL Vortec

ok thanks,sorry for interupting

 

[jimi]

Re: Adjusting Auto Choke on 4.3 GL Vortec

Thanks Don that was exactly what I was looking for. I understood all of it but I was curious about your comment "no resistor wire, you don't have points."

1. How do you know that i don't have a resistor wire (just curious) and

2. what do I have instead of points? Is it a Delco EST or Prestolite? B.I.D. perhaps?

 

[Don S]

Re: Adjusting Auto Choke on 4.3 GL Vortec

1. How do you know that i don't have a resistor wire (just curious) and

Resistor wires were only used on points type ignition systems. Volvo didn't use points type distributors on the GL series MD thru EF (Gray Engines)

2. what do I have instead of points? Is it a Delco EST or Prestolite? B.I.D. perhaps?

Probably the EST, but you never gave a full model number, and I don't really want to look at each and every manual to find out.

 

[jimi]

Re: Adjusting Auto Choke on 4.3 GL Vortec

I wouldn't expect you to read a bunch of manuals. You've already been very helpful; I though you might have know it off hand.

Anyway, if it's easy to determine... the motor is a 4.3GL PEFS and here are some crap pictures

 

[Don S]

Re: Adjusting Auto Choke on 4.3 GL Vortec

The EF in the model number tells me everything I needed to know. It does have the EST distributor. Here is a link to the OEM manuals for your engine and drive.

http://www.4shared.com/dir/14518190/c08a758e/EFsharing.html

 

[jimi]

Re: Adjusting Auto Choke on 4.3 GL Vortec

Thanks Don;

That's great info. I already downloaded the manuals from another thread. You've been very helpful!