Some have suggested we remove the water choke on a '78 stromberg, and replace it with a manual choke.

Is there a consensus on this? May we have some opinions, please?

I had a late model Midget years ago, and the water choke was just too much of a pain. I installed a manual kit, and that worked wonders, or at least it worked.

I guess if there are no issues with the carb, the water choke works fine, but if it like mine, badly rebuilt and generally hacked up, a manual can be the way to go.

It was meant to alleviate driver responsibility...

How good can that really be?!?


Deep six it and put a manual device on there. That eliminates a potential coolant hose failure and allows you to take absolute control of the starting proceedure.

A "win-win" in my book.

Or, if you're really lucky, a friend will send you a HS-6, or hif-44 that you can bolt up in place of the ZS.

That's what I'm holding out for...

Actually my Nissan 1500 has the Hitachi downdraft on it and I removed the auto choke and installed a manual.
So much better I can't begin to describe.

I'd like to bolt up one or two SU's to this engine, but first I would have to determine what head I have (round or oval ports) then find a manifold and of course the carb (or carbs).

First I'd have to work on my MGB and get it roadworthy again, so I'd have something to drive during the changes.

So - the easiest thing is to drive it as is.

Nothing wrong with it if its properly cleaned & setup - oh, its not really a 'choke'....hehre's a good tech tip about maintaining one: http://theautoist.com/zs_water_chokes.htm