Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

Mechanic comes over Wednesday.

Carb was rebuilt using a kit from the guys in Florida. Would a choke spring have been included. I know we replaced the floats because the old ones sank/stuck.

Is such a spring hard to find?

The thermostatic spring for the choke is not a part that would wear out and need to be replaced, so is not a repair kit item.

It is attached behind the round cover at the side of the carb and acts to hold the choke closed when cold and lets the choke flapper open up when warm.

Not particularly hard to find but rarely needs to be replaced.

Well things are looking good. Car starts easily and runs happily.

So here is my question:

How do you start your car? key only, or with gas pedal pumping. If with pumping, how much is normal....and why do you do it?

IMO, if the car is driven regularly, pushing the pedal to the floor one time should be enough and is actually the recommended procedure in many manuals. That one push shoots a squirt of gas and releases the choke off the idle cam so it can close.

If the car sits for awhile then it kind of depends on whether gas in the carb has gone to places unknown. Sometimes the bowl has to be filled again before a squirt happens and a few extra pumps while the engine is cranking seems to help.

Sure glad the driving season is only partly done...because the car starts and runs beautifully. Took it out today for a 100 mile romp. Here's hoping for an extended indian summer and delayed winter.....

Two pumps, one quick spin and we are off to the races!

I don't need Sta-bil just yet.....