Why mess with something that works? The manifold-heated choke is fully mechanical. Just bolt in a new coil assembly and set the linkage right. The only function of the electricity is to heat the coil and make the choke release, so with the choke coil in the heat riser passage in the manifold there's no reason for electric heat. If you're going with an aftermarket manifold without the choke well, just switch to a Q-Jet with the round choke housing integral with the carb, and install an electric-heated choke cover. You'll have to grind off a locating tab on the cover to make it adjustable, and install an oil pressure switch to keep it from heating and releasing the choke with the engine cold if it stalls.
You're right about the Q Jet being the best-engineered street carb available. Holleys are for race cars!
Jerry
