Attention Carb junkies... Electric choke conversion questions

[Maddoxsdaddy]

I have a nicely built 5.7 vortec now (see my engine build thread). It runs awesome once it is warm. Idles nice when warm as well. My problem lies with sitting at the dock and being embarrased because i cant get it to start easily after it has sat for a few days.

I have the stock Weber 4bbl 600 cfm carb. It has been rebuilt and has had the same issue with the old engine. It has the choke spring attached to the intake (old engine) but it didnt work, so basically i have no choke at all now. I'm thinking converting to electric will help my problem.

I've seen a few conversion kits but am unsure of what i need for my carb.

Its not so much that it cranks and cranks but wont fire. It will fire after a few seconds of pumping the throttle but then it wont stay running unless i keep the throttle up a bit. It may just be an adjustment issue somewhere????

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Tim B

 

[RogersJetboat454]

Re: Attention Carb junkies... Electric choke conversion questions

I've seen a few conversion kits but am unsure of what i need for my carb.

Its not so much that it cranks and cranks but wont fire. It will fire after a few seconds of pumping the throttle but then it wont stay running unless i keep the throttle up a bit. It may just be an adjustment issue somewhere????

A serial number for the original engine (if you say it's the original carb), and a pic or two of the carb may help.
Electric should work fine, or fixing the original choke stove set-up would work too.

As far as starting it, or keeping it running when it's cold; You're supposed to give it one or two WOT pumps before starting, and set the throttle just off idle for it to be a trouble free start. Welcome to the world of carburetors...

 

[Maddoxsdaddy]

Re: Attention Carb junkies... Electric choke conversion questions

Yeah... i hate carb work. If i remember correctly, there is a little cam on the side of the card that should set it to fast idle once the throttle is pumped a couple of times. I need to check to see if that is working properly as well. I know the choke doesnt do anything. The butterfly stays open the entire time. I'll try to get a couple pictures up tomorrow.

 

[achris]

Re: Attention Carb junkies... Electric choke conversion questions

No fast idle cam on marine carbs.... Your Weber has the 'standard problem'. They dribble after shutdown, and dry out. That's why it's difficult to start after a few days.... You could try putting a 'Prime' button on your dash. Basically, when pressed, it shorts the existing oil pressure switch and allows the fuel pump to run without the engine running or being cranked. That would allow the pump to fill the carb before cranking and get you a better start when cold. Don;t forget the set the throttle just off idle... (No fast idle cam)...

Chris........

 

[becxlt]

Re: Attention Carb junkies... Electric choke conversion questions

I have the same carb and had the same issue Try replacing your thermal choke . It worked for me . Now it takes one full pump on the throttle when cold and then set throttle about half way starts just about every time .
Try these guys for the choke .
Welcome to Mike's Carburetor Parts - Your Number 1 Carburetor Parts Store

 

[MHS]

Re: Attention Carb junkies... Electric choke conversion questions

Tim, Try using a bottle of Stabil or Seafoam in every tank of gas. The high ethanol content in todays blended fuels makes it evaporate quickly and leads to hard starts. If the boat is going to sit awhile without being started pour some in the vent tubes and actuate the throttle to work it in. Also, the carburetor isn't always to blame, make sure you are using a vacuum gauge to diagnose what may be causing the carb to be symptomatic.

I have a nicely built 5.7 vortec now (see my engine build thread). It runs awesome once it is warm. Idles nice when warm as well. My problem lies with sitting at the dock and being embarrased because i cant get it to start easily after it has sat for a few days.

I have the stock Weber 4bbl 600 cfm carb. It has been rebuilt and has had the same issue with the old engine. It has the choke spring attached to the intake (old engine) but it didnt work, so basically i have no choke at all now. I'm thinking converting to electric will help my problem.

I've seen a few conversion kits but am unsure of what i need for my carb.

Its not so much that it cranks and cranks but wont fire. It will fire after a few seconds of pumping the throttle but then it wont stay running unless i keep the throttle up a bit. It may just be an adjustment issue somewhere????

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Tim B

 

[Maddoxsdaddy]

Re: Attention Carb junkies... Electric choke conversion questions

Thanks ya'll. I guess i should have mentioned i have the cam actuated fuel pump. Not an electric. I had thought of switching to an electric at somepoint this year. I may do it sooner than later.

I had no ides it didnt have a fast idle cam. Thanks for the info. Shows how much i know about carbs. LOL!

I'm going to look at Mikes Carb parts and see what they have to offer, then go from there... But again, i dont have the thermal choke anymore due to the lack of a spot for it on the intake.

Thanks again,
Tim

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Attention Carb junkies... Electric choke conversion questions

It will fire after a few seconds of pumping the throttle but then it wont stay running unless i keep the throttle up a bit.

Perfectly normal. If it starts in a reasonable time and the only problem is the need to keep the throttle up a bit till it warms up, then you have described a normal boat with a carb. Let it stay at a high idle while you are tied up at the dock for a few minutes and then you are good to go.

 

[Maddoxsdaddy]

Re: Attention Carb junkies... Electric choke conversion questions

Yeah i know. It would just be much nicer to have it start up and stay fired instead of having to try 5-6 times to keep it running.


But when it is running, it sounds like this....:happy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8PklAAA5Jo

 

[achris]

Re: Attention Carb junkies... Electric choke conversion questions

Why not just put an electric choke on it? The old heat stove can be replaced with an electric element...

 

[Maddoxsdaddy]

Re: Attention Carb junkies... Electric choke conversion questions

I think thats the route i'm going with. I just need to figure out which choke kit to get. Ive seen a couple different choke kits for these carbs so far. Same as edelbrock performer carb but which one???

 

[MHS]

Re: Attention Carb junkies... Electric choke conversion questions

Thanks ya'll. I guess i should have mentioned i have the cam actuated fuel pump. Not an electric. I had thought of switching to an electric at somepoint this year. I may do it sooner than later.

I had no ides it didnt have a fast idle cam. Thanks for the info. Shows how much i know about carbs. LOL!

I'm going to look at Mikes Carb parts and see what they have to offer, then go from there... But again, i dont have the thermal choke anymore due to the lack of a spot for it on the intake.

Thanks again,
Tim

Tim, Carb Junkys can save you money and gives great phone technical support. Give us a call 770-457-8570 or toll free 1-866-961-CARB. You don't have a big issue and one of our techs can help you work it out.

 

[Maddoxsdaddy]

Re: Attention Carb junkies... Electric choke conversion questions

Pimpin' the business on iBoats... LOL! Cool. i'll give ya'll a call.

 

[MHS]

Re: Attention Carb junkies... Electric choke conversion questions

Pimpin' the business on iBoats... LOL! Cool. i'll give ya'll a call.

well you know when you wrote 'Carb Junkies' we got a notice and thought we could be of a little assistance. :laugh:

We look forward to hearing from you.

Have a great weekend!