All Small Six Dialing in the cold start on a Weber 38/38 with electric choke

This relates to all small sixes

awasson

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To begin with, I am absolutely happy with the Weber 38/38. There is no hesitation, it gets good economy (depending on my foot) and it starts and runs great at most temps and is smooth and easy to drive with.

What my issue is, that even with the slightest choke setting, the choke blades are too far closed and don’t open quick enough for smooth starts and idle. From cold, it will start, just like that, super smooth for a few seconds and then get lopey because the choke plates are not opening quick enough. This morning’s test, after not being driven for 3 days, was giving it two shots on the gas pedal and turning the key; bam it starts right up. I jumped out of the car and pushed the choke blades open and it maintained a perfectly smooth warm up. If I had not pushed the choke blades down manually, it would have had a very lopey idle until it got warm enough to remove the electric choke.

The choke spring needs a bit of tension to engage the high idle cam which engages the throttle shaft on the high idle perch but the choke blade tension is too stiff to be pulled down by vacuum. If the choke blades were fully removed it would actually be better.

Anyone with a similar experience and any tips? I may see what it’s like if I remove the blades for testing.
 
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It sounds like you just don’t need much choke on cold startup. I would just start adjusting the choke to the lean side, the leaner the setting the quicker it will be pulled completely off.
 
Just a guess, but that might have to do with a bigger carb on the small6. With the 32/36, you might have to use more choke.
Just a thought 🤔
 
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I haven't worked with the 38/38 but the 32/36 on the 63' wagons' 170 starts right up with no choke hooked up. A few accel' pump squirts and it fires right up. Runs a little cold needing a few more squirts til the manifold starts warming up. Driven often in freezing temps until roads are salt covered then 'put up for the winter'.
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have fun
 
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