Hey everyone,

I’m hoping for some insight on my Weber 32/36 DGAV that has an electric choke installed (DGEV). I’ve been messing with the choke housing adjustment and speed screw, and I’m still not entirely sure or happy with the adjustments. First, per the instructions, “Thermostat Housing towards the cab until you see the ChokePlates open. Then rotate Thermostat Housing towards front of vehicle until the Choke Plates just fully close”, my choke plates open/close opposite, when I rotate the housing toward the cab it closes them, while rotating toward the front of the vehicle they open. Could the thermostat spring be reversed? I’m guessing these come with different configurations? Does the orientation matter if the choke plates are installed/configured with the choke thermostat spring? I must be missing something obvious.. Second, there’s numerous write ups about lean best idle and choke adjustments, but I find few actually detail setting the choke housing AND speed screw with images and examples. Of course, I realize each motor and configuration will have different needs and wants, but it would be nice to compare/contrast to trouble shoot. Lastly, I realize the speed screw shouldn’t need adjustments, but mine was clearly messed with at time of choke swap and I do need to reset/adjust the screw that makes contact with the fast idle cam. Thanks for any advice, knowledge and help.

 

I guess you could take the spring housing off and see if it's physically possible to reverse the spring and the direction the plates are opening. Is the choke not working properly now? I imagine if it was reversed in how it operates it wouldn't start as fast when it's cold out and would actually choke the engine out until it won't run as it warmed up due to closing.
Both my 32/36 and 38/38 are manual choke carbs so I'm not much help with adjusting the fast idle cam.

 

Thanks. So, despite things being backward in my carb, the choke plates actually function in tandem with the thermostat spring, it seems it’s just reverse of what I’m reading here and from Weber..? I’m not sure what to make of it. Or, I’m misunderstanding the choke adjustment write ups. The choke is functioning I suppose, but needs tuning, as it’s rough until warm. So, when I look up the procedures, I noticed my setup seems to be the opposite of everyone else.

 

Assuming that your carb is sealed up, you have proper idle jets, lean best idle is set correctly, and idle speed screw is no more than a half turn in; then my understanding is that the choke should simply be closed or nearly closed when the engine is cold and fully open once warmed up.
The function of the choke is just that simple.
So when you get in and pump the pedal a couple times the choke should be closed and the fast idle cam should engage. Once it warms up, you blip the throttle once to disengage the fast idle cam and RPM drops to normal.
If these things are happening then I don't know how else running rough until warm could be related to the choke. Do you ever feel it stumble while accelerating ?
With the manual choke, it's nearly impossible to feather the choke plates while warming up. On the coldest days, I pull it closed, start the truck, immediately open it half way and keep my foot on the gas for a few minutes around 1500RPM.
I really need to buy some books from other people who've gone in depth with Weber carbs. As you have discovered, Redline Weber instructions and descriptions are severely lacking. These 32/36 carbs are used on a myriad of older cars and engines and the choke works the same way for all of them.
There's probably an MG or Fiat forum with someone far wiser than us in the ways of Weber carb chokes and their subtle nuances. It could be written in Italian/Spanish though.

 

So, after messing with this choke for weeks and zero carb experience, I ordered and installed a new choke thermostat. Well, things are working just fine now. The choke plates close all the way when “cold” and open in just a few short minutes when warm, completely. The thermostat was toast. I just knew it wasn’t this difficult... off and running. And I was misinterpreting the directions, my carb is setup as it should be. Thanks