Use choke on my GT4 or not?

Hi
It is a sticky problem There are 4 smallish return springs so you can't rely on the choke being off even if the lever indicates they should be.
I start my GT$ by cranking, once it fires give it some throttle. I don't pump the accelerator first. It might sputter etc for the first minute in cold weather but runs fine after that. If the car won't start that way then there are adjustments out of spec, e.g. timing and carb idle settings.

 

The no-choke rule has worked fine so far on my GT4 both in Italy and Belgium since many years ( cold start from garage even after weeks ie. after winter holidays ). I am afraid the poor alignment of choke levers would put out of range the setting of the carbs

 

I haven't found that the choke helps particularly. Normal startup procedure for me is:
1. Turn on ignition, leave the fuel pump running for a few seconds
2. Pump the accelerator twice
3.Turn the starter with 1/3 throttle
4. Once it fires use the throttle to rev it a little bit till it's running cleanly on all 8.

Just use whatever works for you, as carbs may be set up differently etc.

 

I never used the choke on my 208gt4.
Starting procedure after a long wintersleep in my garage:

1. Turn on ignition, leave the fuel pump running for a 20 seconds
2. Pump the accelerator a few times
3.Turn the starter with almost full throttle
4. When it runs it will start with 6............7............and after a few seconds with 8 cylinders.

My mechanic said never use the choke!!!

 

I do roughly the same process as the last 2 guys never had any problems.

 

If your choke is used regularly it won't stick. I use mine all the time when starting in cold weather. Give it some choke (usually only takes about half choke), crank it with no gas pedal and it starts right up. You can do it without the choke as everyone has said, just pump the pedal a few times. This has the exact same effect (to throw more fuel into the mixture).

The big issue with the choke is to turn it off as soon as the car is running, or the rich mixture will foul the plugs. You don't want to let it run for 10 minutes on the choke. As soon as the car starts and is running smoothly, turn the choke off. (Of course, if the plugs do get a little fouled, the solution is a good 100 MPH run for about 15 minutes!)

There is nothing wrong with using the choke to start the car, that's what it's for!

Birdman

 

I'm a confirmed no choker. Use the same process as listed above: Ignition on for 15-20secs, 2 pumps, always fires. Needs to have the throttle tickled for a few minutes to keep it idling after that when cold. No pumps when hot!

 

This is my procedure too. I have not used a choke on my 308gt4 for 20 years and I live in a sub zero (F) area.

 

NOT.

Only pump the throttle a couple times when cold. Otherwise, just dip into the throttle slightly while cranking (hot or cold). You may need to "feather" the throttle for a short time while cold to keep it from stalling...then it will settle in...

 

Living in California I'm sure that the choke is not really needed. In my case I follow the starting instructions in the owners manual. I use the choke to start the car, then release afer a minute (+/-), no problems yet.

I used a similar start procedure for my old Maserati's (all had chokes).

 

I am trying to start a gt4 e-mail list with phone numbers at the suggestion of a friend mainly for tech stuff. Peter said he would host it on his gt4 site but I know allot of Ferrari guys are paranoid, but I am assuming most gt4 guys are less uptight. Plus hey to steal a car it cant be in pieces right Anyone interested e-mail me with name phone # and e-mail address or whatever. None of you mondial guys try to sneak in either! :-0 When I get a large group I will mass e-mail all the info to each other. This is not in any way to dilute FC just for us to help get in touch if needed. PS if you have not done so go to 2 gt4 sites and fill in the info on your cars and submit a pic, due your civic duty!

http://dino-gt4-registry.com/index.htm

http://www.dinogt4register.com/index.html

I will start it out

Robert Garven
1975 gt4 10766
Red Black
805-643-6003
Ventura, CA
[email protected]

ps leave the choke off if the manual was correct you would rev the car up to how many rpms at start up..............

 

Sent you my info Rob...

Dom

 

Don Hewey
1975 308GT4, seriesII
10162
Red/Tan
San Diego, CA
858-337-4477
[email protected]