Re: Missing Choke Valve - Quadrajet Carb
Is there a reason to take them off?
It probably had the manifold-mounted coil springs for the chokes that rusted up and broke, letting the choke plates flop free. Then the choke plates were removed so the engines would run.
Should I try to find replacements?
Only if you want the engines to be easier to start. I have a 1987 30' Searay with twin 350's just like you. Starboard engine has the broken choke spring as described above with the choke wired permanantly open. It is EXTREMELY diffficult to start and keep running for the first 10 minutes or so. The port engine choke still works and the engine starts and idles instantly. I plan to replace the choke on the starboard engine as soon as I get a chance.
Marine Carbureters has an electric choke conversion for the Quadrajets if your manifold-mounted chokes are junk:
http://www.marinecarburetor.com/quadrajetsuperchoke.htm
You'll still need replacement choke blades, you may be able to get them from somewhere like Marine Carbs. If not, any junkyard should have some 20-30 year old Q-jets around that you could get the choke parts you need fairly cheap, although it may be more cost-efficient just buying rebuilt carbs and using yours for the core credit.
