The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Electric or manual choke?

I'm planning to use a 390cfm Holley on my 235. It comes with an electric choke, something I have no working knowledge of.

Holley also sells a manual choke kit for this carb, and I'm considering using it because I understand the purpose of a coke, how to use it and like the idea of maintaining a touch of old-fashion technology.

If you were in my position and had a choice between an electric choke or a manual choke, which would you choose and why?

Being somewhat nostalgic myself, the manual is a good way to go. Electrics are ok and usually work fine but....unlike hot water choke they come on too soon after sitting a short while when you don't really need it working. Plus, they burn out and sometimes the wiring breaks on them and they don't open like they should. Also you can push it in when YOU want to, not when it wants to. You might want just a little choke instead of a closed one racing at too high an idle especially when you don't need a high idle waisting gas. Easier on the tranny if its an automatic. Some electrics kick off too soon and others take forever to open all the way up. Also they can stick easier. My wife doesn't know how to use one so I have an electric for now. Just my two cents worth.

Manual
I like the KISS style.

If you have an automatic transmission, the electric choke can lead to engine stalling problems.

If manual transmission, you can always rev the engine at a stop sign with the clutch pushed in and slip the clutch until the engine is hot.

Manual choke for me, on everything, new or old - much more reliable, and they work much better given that the operator has some understanding of an engine.

Jon.

I would also go with the manual choke if the original carburetor didn't have an electric choke. The 390 Holley seems like a large carburetor for your 235 engine. Are you talking about 390 CFM? My quick calculation for air flow for the 235 CID engine comes up with about 270 CFM at 4000 RPM.

Harvester

I like the electric choke but the Holley manual choke works very good unlike some of the conversion kits for Q-jets & some other carbs.

Is your truck 6 volt or 12 volt? Unless the electric choke is designed to work at 6 volt, having a 6 volt truck might force other changes, or answer the question for you.

That said, on a truck already converted to 12 volt I might choose the electric just because its one less thing to think about while driving.

old school manual choke here...its what came on the truck, so that's what I'm keeping

My personal choice is a manual choke. Although, once adjusted, the electric choke works pretty well too.

That's all I needed to hear... I got enough stuff to worry about without adjusting electric chokes. I'm going with something I understand... the manual kind.