choke and smog question

[red_dog007]

Well in my 240z I was sorta supprised to see a choke. I totally wasnt expecting to see that. Though I have noticed, that there should be a leaver right next to it on the right. There is a slot for one, but no handle is there. I am wondering what is supposed to go there, and is it a big deal if it is or isnt there?

Also the air/smog pump, can I just take that out completly and the few things that are attached to it? I am thinking a decimal point of better fuel economy, and maybe some more power, but I am not sure if it will hurt the motor or not and it seems to be a vital vaccum source too though I am not too sure about that one. Just that the smog pump was connected to a few pieces that was connected to everything else via hoses, so I am not sure if the smog pump plays a more vital roll then just being there for emissions.

[Arne]

The second slot in the console of '70 and '71 240Zs was for a hand throttle, which most cars in the USA did not get because the DOT ruled them as bad. Search for "hand throttle" and you'll get all the info you want.

The air pump is solely an emission control device. But there is no real gain to be had from removing it. The only effect it has on the car's power or drivability is a small parasitic power loss, some fraction of a HP to spin the pump itself. All its effects are in the exhaust, downstream of the combustion chambers. Removing it will not make any difference that you can feel, will not change the way the engine runs in any way, and maybe not even enough difference to be measured on a dyno. That being the case, and since it does help reduce emissions, please consider leaving it intact, if it is all there and still working.