Chrysler Repair: Wont run with choke open, chrysler product, proper orientation

Question
QUESTION: Hi Roland You have helped me in the past with my 1999 Concorde. I have an old 350 GMC plow truck with a 350 4 barrel carb. I know it's not a Chrysler product but I know you can answer this general auto question. If I keep the choke plate closed and just have it opened that small amount when it starts,the truck will run under a load. Once I lean it out by hooking up the ground wire on the automatic choke to open up the choke plate it seems like it's starving for gas and won't run under a load. It was running OK under a load with the choke opened before it got 20 degrees colder. Any idea how I can correct this.  Thanks Barry











 Thanks Barry

ANSWER: Hi Barry,
The choke should have some sort of a thermostatic coil on its shaft which moves the choke gradually from closed to full upen as the engine warms up. There is usually some sort of a hose connected to the thermo-coil housing that brings air up from the engine that is indicative of the temperature of the intake manifold at the moment. So it seems like you need to get the choke mechanism to be 'analog' in its function, not just totally closed or totally open. Do you have any manual that might show what it looked like in its original configuration at the time of manufacture. The thermostatic coil 'cap' is often adustable in its rotational position so all you may need to do is just adjust the coil so that it is closed sufficiently to get it to start and then observe whether it opens gradually as the engine warms up and ends up in the proper orientation to provide good power when the engine is at full temperature, which may not be full open in very cold weather.
Roland
PS Please 'rate' my answer, and where you see the question about 'volunteer of the month' consider a 'yes' answer. Thank you

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I get it. If I leave the choke at the original setting which was like the the first or second notch on the coil cap it will fully open after 3 to 4 minutes but will stumble when I try to drive it so I purposely have to leave it closed to run the truck. The tempeature is about 30 degrees so the truck should run with a fully opened choke. I didn't know if I should look at something else. Thanks Barry   I have to go out for a while so I see your answer a little later.

Answer
Hi Barry,
All I can suggest is that you try adjusting the choke, one notch at a time, until you find the place where it will run when it is hooked up AND while engine is warm. Then let the engine cool off and try it when it is cold to see if it will start and run well, because the choke will close as things cool off. When it is 30 degrees out the choke may need to be slightly closed, even when the engine is warmed up, so don't disconnect it entirely is my advice...adjust it instead.
Roland
Please 'rate' my answer. Thank you