Jon, the choke housing is still there but the black cap and internal mechanism was removed and a replacement cap installed with a shaft in it that runs through to engage the choke plate in the carburetor throat.

It's not as neat as a carburetor top designed for a manual choke but it looks like it will work. I would say it is a kit manufactured to provide a method to install a cheap fix when the automatic choke malfunctioned.

There is a threaded connection that goes into the old choke housing that was open so I have a temporary plug in it now. I figured this was where a heat tube would connect from a manifold oven or something. I thought this would be an open vaccuum leak that could affect carburetor performance. Could also take the top off the carburetor and plug up the passage that runs up through the casting.

I put the carburetor on last night so will see if it runs today. It must be designed as a replacement for the Rochester, as you said, because all the lines hooked up without modification and the throttle rod was the same location. Thanks for sharing your knowledge - it makes these old trucks more enjoyable for the rest of us and we appreciate it. --- Pete

Doug Peterson
53 Chevy Pickup