Choke Re-Mounting

[AChev]

I have a '73 240Z and I also have the common choke problem with the choke becoming unmounted from the console due to broken mount. I have read about people remounting the choke directly to the tranny tunnel. I was just wondering if anybody could give me any tips on how to do this, or maybe even photos. Thanks a bunch

Andy

[e_racer1999]

if you get ztherapy's 240z tune-up video he covers remounting the choke lever in great detail (as well as a bunch of other useful stuff) i highly recommend you get that video

[MikeW]

I just sent this via e-mail but it might be useful to others so I'll post it here. Years ago I created an aluminum bracket that I mounted the choke cable bracket to. It's attached to the transmission tunnel with a couple of sheet metal screws. This setup means that no pressure is applied to the plastic center console when the choke handle is moved. It also makes the console easier to remove. As always, keeping the choke cables properly lubricated goes a long way towards making the mechanism move easier.

[e_racer1999]

that's a nice set-up mike... i might have to use it!

[Bambikiller240]

Great idea Mike. Do you by chance have the dimensions of the bracket? Like height it needs to stand off of the tunnel for the lever mechanism to fit under, etc?

Don't go pulling you console if you don't have the info handy, I'm just curious for future reference.

[MikeW]

Great idea Mike. Do you by chance have the dimensions of the bracket? Like height it needs to stand off of the tunnel for the lever mechanism to fit under, etc?

The top of the aluminum bracket is about 3/4 of an inch above the tunnel. As I recall it was just a trial and error sort of fit where I kept using a hacksaw to remove pieces of the alluminum until it worked.

[AChev]

Well after seeing Mike W's picture of how he mounted his choke it got some ideas running through my head. So I went down to the hardware store and soon enough my choke was mounted, now it is not going anywhere. As soon as I posted a picture of my choke in the gallery I got comments asking for clearer pictures and an explanation of how I mounted it, well here goes:

I went down to the hardware store and looked for some type of metal plate or bracket. They had exactly what I was looking for, a 2 foot piece of steel with holes all the way down both sides. I also bought some self-tapping sheet metal screws (stainless).

I placed the choke and put the console back on and marked with a very narrow pencil where the choke should lay. I layed the piece of sheet metal on and cut it to size, just so it goes over the transmission tunnel at most a half an inch on each side. It cannot be too long or else the console won't fit when the plate is raised. I then marked my spots for holes once i layed the plate in place. I drilled the holes about 1/2 the size of the sheet metal screws I bought because as you screw them in the metal of the tranny tunnel stretches much more than you think it would. I used 4 large thick washers between the plate and the tunnel on each screw to raise it up to the height where the choke should sit. *Do not put the screws in until you are sure that you have everything exactly right, because the metal stretches if you brin ghte screws in and out too many times, then you have to go buy wider screws* Lay the plate in place and lay the choke where you marked earlier and then mark the plate for the size notch you need to cut out of it. Make sure you account for the space where the choke needs to slide back when it is used, at first i forgot. lay the plate on top of the washerswith screws just laying in the holes and place the choke where it belongs and with one hand hold everything in place, then with the other hand I took white out and used the small brush to mark the underside of the plate where the holes need to be drilled. Holes were drilled. Then when evertyhing was perfect I bolted it all on using just nuts and bolts to bind the choke to the plate , then the sheetmetal screws on the 3 corners. I then used a hammer to push the washers to beneath the palte so they were not sticking out so the console would fit over. Then the console did not fit over exactly, so I used wire cutters to slightly trim the metal runners on the underside of the console by the ashtray cover.

That is about it, it did not go as smoothly as I wrote it, there was very much trial and error, but it ended up working great, and now that choke it locked down hard. I hoped I helped those in need of a choke remount. I attached a picture of my mount. I know some people wanted a clearer photo. If you need one P.M. me and Ill get you a better photo.

[Daniel]

MikeW said it correctly. Keep the cables lubed and you will be far ahead. The mounting jobs posted are excellent work. If you still have the choke attached to the console I offer this tip. Remove the cables from the carbs. Cut a drinking straw in half and slip it over the cable to where the cover of the cable becomes a bottom in the straw.Wrap with duct tape.I then use a coat hanger as a support and hang them from my hood latch. Put some oil in the straw and leave it overnight. The next day the cable will slide as never before. Do this every few years.