Converting an electric choke to hot air choke

[Fords4Us]

I'm thinking to convert my '83 Ranger's electric choke to a hot air choke before cold weather arrives. I've never been happy with that stupid thing. I've done the Duraspark conversion so I don't have any computer control nonsense to worry about anymore. I have found some of the parts I need, but not all of them. In particular I don't really want to replace or retrofit the header, but rather find some other way to supply the same warmed air into the choke. I've read a few creative ideas on how to do that, but they were all for full-sized Ford trucks or Mustangs. Anyone here done that on their Ranger or Bronco II? Thanks all...

 

[Mark_88]

Drove my 2.3 for two winters with no choke...just used a block heater.

Not familiar with the 2.8 carburetor but you might be better suited with just a manual choke and save yourself the running of the breather over to the exhaust and then that flex hose up to the breather (not sure how else it would be done).

 

[Fords4Us]

I considered a manual choke and just about went that route. If I was the only driver, I'd go for it. Unfortunately, that's not always the case. I didn't like the idea that I'd get a phone call about someone not being able to get the truck started or keep it running because they had no idea how to work a manual choke. Hence the hot air option.

I've checked the carb and I already have the fittings there that I need. I'd need to tap an opening through the air cleaner for the fresh air source, which is relatively straightforward. And I found a company that helps Mustang owners with this conversion by giving them a long tube that can be gently bent into whatever shape needed, for the hot air side of that setup. I can conceptually imagine how it should all work for my Ranger, but I was hoping to talk to someone who has actually gone through with it. Even a few quickie photos would be helpful. If anyone out there has done this, just drop me a note or something. Thanks!

 

[Big Jim M]

I have done just the opposite to several vehicles in the past! I like the electric feature much better than hot air.
Big Jim

 

[enjr44]

Why?

I guess my question is, "Why do you want to do this?" Electric chokes work amazingly well when set up correctly.

 

[RonD]

Couple of ways to do it as an add on.
Hot air source will of course be the exhaust pipe/manifold.
Braze a metal sheet with hose fitting on to exhaust, it needs to be able to pull air under the sheet.

Saw a guy that wrapped steel tube around exhaust pipe a few times then clamped it so it didn't rattle
Looked like the end of the tube was flattened a bit, maybe fine tuning for air flow, lol.

And yes the other end out of the air heated choke would go to a Ported vacuum(above throttle plate), from carb or air cleaner if it is sealed well enough to create air flow.

 

[Fords4Us]

Thanks all for the replies. I've never been happy with that electric choke but I'll give it one more try, now that the computer is gone and I have better control over the rest of the system. I'm chasing down a lot of minor issues right now with performance, which the computer was either masking or making worse. So it's almost like getting to know a new-to-me vehicle. Maybe the electric choke just needs to be adjusted. I'll start with that and maybe fiddle around with fabbing some hot air version if I can't get the electric dialed in very well. I also already do have the block heater, but sometimes park the Ranger for hours afield without power for miles around. So relying on the block heater as my choke alternative wouldn't always work either. If I do end up fabricating something I'll post pix (after it's working well).

 

[RonD]

If you live in the North any choke must be adjusted twice a year for winter and summer temps.
I remember using a wooden cloths pin on the choke plate in the summer, lol, instead of adjusting it to stay open more in the summer.

One issue that people often forget is that when the key is turned on that is when the electric choke heater comes on, if the engine isn't started right away the choke still opens like it is suppose to do and when engine is started it will not stay running or will run rough until engine warms up.

Using exhaust heated air doesn't have that issue.

If there are times the key will be on but engine off, it is best to use a relay activated by oil pressure switch.
Or make sure to use Accessories on key switch instead of RUN.