Reply to "Carburetor on 74"

the short answers are yes both times. Yes the choke is electrically "assisted", meaning it is not 100% electric. Yes you need the manifold heated air as well, the choke will not function properly without both.

On the 351C used in Ford vehicles, the heat for the choke was supplied by the manifold heated air in conjunction with heat from a heater hose that was held with a clip intimately against the choke housing. The heater hoses on the Pantera are not routed near the carb, so the electric heat element was added in place of the heater hose. I believe the issue was exhaust emissions, the heater operates the choke more quickly, about 1 minute after the engine bay temperature reaches approx 55 degrees. Below 60 degrees F, the manifold heated air was drawn into the choke housing to heat the bi-metallic spring more slowly. So, if the engine bay is above 60 degrees and the electric heater is disconnected you have neither heated air or the electric heater to warm the bi-metallic spring inside the choke operator.

Power for the heater element came from the center tap of the alternator (stator terminal). This termial should have a white wire with black stripe running between the stator & voltage regulator. Your pantera is so low mileage I'm kinda assuming the wiring, alternator, etc is still "stock".

The proper terminology? Well, the whole assembly is a bi-metal thermostatic choke operator, or more commonly the automatic choke operator. The little heater is a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) ceramic heater. The round, black, housing that contains the bi-metal spring & the heater element is a choke thermostat housing. Its replaceable, Pantera specific, I'll bet Mike's parts dept has them in stock.

George