Umair Gaines
If you're looking to connect an electric choke to your 1972 Chevelle, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. Firstly, it is important to ensure that the choke only has power when the key is on. This can be achieved by running a wire from the fuse block or connecting it to a keyed constant 12-volt source. Additionally, some people have suggested connecting the choke wire to the hot wire that feeds the wiper motor, but it is important to exercise caution as this can blow the wiper fuse. Another option is to connect it to the alternator terminal, but this may cause the ALT light on the dash to always be on, even when the engine is running normally.
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What You'll Learn
Where to connect the hot wire
The hot wire of an electric choke should be connected to a keyed 12-volt source. This ensures that the choke has power when the ignition is on but not when the key is off or cranking.
One option for connecting the hot wire is to the windshield wiper motor. Specifically, the yellow wire on the windshield wiper motor has been recommended as a good place for an electric choke tap. This wire can be found with a test light. However, it is important to note that the wiper motor is tied to the accessory circuit, so turning the key to "acc" without the vehicle running can damage the choke.
Another option is to connect the hot wire to the alternator. However, this may keep the choke on all the time, as the alternator output is tied to the battery. This can drain the battery if the car is off for an extended period.
Some people also suggest connecting the hot wire to the oil sending unit or an oil pressure switch. This ensures that the choke only has power when the engine has oil pressure.
It is also possible to connect the hot wire to a switched terminal on the inside fuse block, such as the IGN terminal. This will provide power to the choke when the ignition is on.
In summary, there are several options for connecting the hot wire of an electric choke on a 1972 Chevelle. The best option depends on the specific setup and preferences of the installer.
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Connecting to the alternator
When connecting an electric choke to the alternator of a 1972 Chevelle, there are several important considerations and steps to follow. Firstly, it is crucial to understand that the choke should only receive power when the engine is running and the alternator is providing power. This ensures that the choke does not heat up prematurely or when the engine is cold, which can make starting the engine more difficult.
To achieve this, the choke can be wired to the alternator in a specific way. One method is to connect the choke to the switched 12V of the ignition switch. This will cause the choke to heat up when the ignition is turned on. However, if the ignition is left on for an extended period, the choke may open prematurely, especially with a cold engine. Therefore, adjustments may be needed to ensure the choke opens at the correct time.
Another approach is to utilise a normally-open oil pressure switch. By routing the power through this switch, the choke will not continue to heat up if the engine stalls. Additionally, an oil pressure switch can serve as a safety feature by blocking voltage to the choke when there is no oil pressure or when the engine stalls. These switches are readily available in the aftermarket and as Genuine GM versions.
When connecting the electric choke, it is recommended to use a fused connection to prevent overloading the circuit. One suggestion is to run a wire from the fuse block, similar to the installation of an HEI, ensuring that the power is cut off when the key is turned off. Additionally, it is advised to verify that the power source is only active when the key is in the "Run" position and inactive in other positions such as "Accessory", "Off", or "Crank".
It is worth noting that some sources advise against connecting the choke directly to the alternator wiring in GM vehicles, including Chevelles. Instead, they suggest utilising a choke heater relay, with power for the choke drawn from a dedicated circuit labelled C-H in the fuse block. In this setup, the alternator excitation circuit triggers the coil in the choke heater relay, and the choke operates when the engine is running.
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Carburettor options
Holley Avenger 670cfm
The Holley Avenger 670cfm carburettor is a suitable option for a 1972 Chevelle, but it requires an electric choke kit to be installed. This carburettor is smaller than the Holley 770cfm, which may improve fuel economy. However, the electric choke needs to be hooked up for the carburettor to function properly.
Holley 770cfm
The Holley 770cfm carburettor is another option for the 1972 Chevelle, but it requires an electric choke kit for proper functioning. This carburettor has vacuum secondary, and the Holley instruction manual recommends connecting the positive terminal of the electric choke to a keyed constant 12-volt source.
Edelbrock Performer
The Edelbrock Performer carburettor is a suitable choice for the 1972 Chevelle, but it requires careful wiring of the electric choke. The positive wire from the electric choke should be connected to a fused wire from the fuse block, ensuring that the choke only has power when the key is on.
Buick Q-Jet
For an original 1972 Chevy carburettor, an older Buick Q-Jet carburettor with a hot air choke can be sourced, and the choke parts can be transferred. A later Q-jet can also be used, but a pre-1975 model is preferable as the choke pull-off is mounted to the linkage assembly, whereas the post-1975 models mount it directly to the carb, requiring a bracket to be fabricated.
It is important to note that the wiring of the electric choke is critical to its proper functioning. The choke wire should be connected to a keyed 12-volt source, and options include the IGN terminal, the windshield wiper motor, or a dedicated circuit in the fuse block. Care should be taken to avoid connecting it directly to the alternator, as this can cause issues with the charging system and battery drainage.
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Wiring to the ignition
Wiring the electric choke of a 1972 Chevelle to the ignition can be done in several ways, but there are some connections that should be avoided.
Firstly, it is important to note that the choke requires 12 volts to function correctly, and this voltage should only be present when the key is on. The choke wire should be connected to a keyed constant 12-volt source. Connecting the choke to a source with less than 12 volts may cause it to malfunction.
One common method is to connect the choke wire to the hot wire that feeds the wiper motor from the ignition switch. This is typically a yellow wire, which can be easily identified with a test light. However, it is important to exercise caution with this method, as the choke can burn up if there is no engine running. To prevent this, the choke can be wired through an oil sending unit switch.
Another option is to connect the choke to the alternator terminal, as suggested by a user's father. However, this may cause the ALT light on the dashboard to remain illuminated even when the engine is running and the system is charging normally. Additionally, since the alternator output is tied to the battery, there is no way to switch it off when the car is off, which can drain the battery over time.
A recommended method is to run a wire from the fuse block, similar to installing an HEI. This ensures that the choke only has power when the key is on, and the wire is fused. A specific suggestion is to use the switched wire going to the alternator, ensuring that the choke only has power when the engine is running.
It is advised to avoid connecting the choke directly to the positive terminal on the coil, as this can cause major problems. Additionally, do not connect the choke directly to any alternator wiring, as the circuitry is not designed to support this add-on. Instead, a choke heater relay should be used, with power for the choke drawn from a dedicated circuit labelled C-H in the fuse block.
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Electric choke kit
If you're looking to install an electric choke kit on your 1972 Chevelle, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, it's important to determine whether you have an original 72 Chevy carb. If you do, you'll need to source an older Buick carb with a hot air choke and use the choke parts from that. Alternatively, you can opt for a later Q-jet, specifically a pre-1975 Buick Q-jet, as they had a hot air choke mounted to the side of the carb. This can be bolted in place of the divorced choke linkages.
When it comes to the electric choke kit itself, Holley offers electric choke parts and conversion kits, which may be suitable for your Chevelle. It's recommended to contact their technical support team to ensure you get the right parts for your vehicle.
Now, let's discuss the wiring. The electric choke will need to be connected to a keyed 12-volt source, ensuring 12 volts at all times when the key is on. One option is to connect it to the IGN terminal. Another suggestion is to run a wire from the fuse block, similar to installing an HEI, ensuring that the choke only has power when the key is on. You can also consider tapping into the yellow wire on the windshield wiper motor or the white wire of the alternator light wire.
It's important to note that you should always refer to the instructions provided with your specific electric choke kit for the most accurate and safe installation procedure. Additionally, consulting a qualified mechanic or a Chevelle enthusiast community can provide valuable insights and guidance tailored to your vehicle.
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Frequently asked questions
The Holley instruction manual says to connect the positive terminal on the electric choke to a keyed constant 12-volt source. You can also connect the choke wire to the hot wire that feeds the wiper motor from the ignition switch.
If it is an original 72 Chevy carb, you'll need to find an older Buick carb with a hot air choke and take the choke parts off of it, and then get an electric choke element.
It is important to note that the choke will only have power when the key is on. Additionally, you should not connect the choke directly to any alternator wiring.
