[PITTSBURGH 64]

I don't run a choke either and never had any starting troubles.

[Schurkey]

If you can start the engine without a choke in cold weather--I'd be interested in knowing how rich the mixture is at low throttle opening.

I'd prefer to have the idle/low throttle mixture as lean as possible without driveability problems when fully warm; then add the extra fuel when cold and during warm-up with the choke. But a pig-rich mixture covers a lot of idle fuel ratio problems.

[JSchmitz]

Originally Posted by Schurkey

If you can start the engine without a choke in cold weather--I'd be interested in knowing how rich the mixture is at low throttle opening.

I'd prefer to have the idle/low throttle mixture as lean as possible without driveability problems when fully warm; then add the extra fuel when cold and during warm-up with the choke. But a pig-rich mixture covers a lot of idle fuel ratio problems.

Mine isn't "pig-rich". Idle fuel mixture set for high vacuum/rpm fully warmed up in gear. You just have to hold the throttle up for a few minutes in cold weather. I have my fast idle solenoid hooked up to a switch also. I don't use it often though. A choke is great for a daily driver. It's convenient. But, I don't think it's necessary or causing 70 conv goat's problem.

[70 conv goat]

Thansk for the comments and insight, the forum is great for kicking things like this around.

I agree, the HEI is a very tight fit in a first gen. Firebird.

And as I think I said quite clearly , the choke is locked out / open. With the Performer RPM as you know there is no provision for the heat pick up / mount for the early style choke.

On my 377 Cheby with a large solid lift cam, I don't run a choke, you have to feather it very minimally when you first start it, but from there, no issues with idle / running rich, etc.

Bottom line is that I think the plugs are fouled, and per my discussion with KRE I need to run a hotter plug. This engine with a number of carb config's has fouled plugs from when built, including at Cruising the Coast during a pretty long highway run.