We have a 1984 Ford F-150 pickup which we use to haul sheep, carry feed and hay, etc. We usually drive it less than 1,000 miles per year. It's got a
2-bbl carb on a 302 V-8, automatic trans.
It doesn't like to start in the cold weather. The choke cap isn't the standard cap I remember from the olden days, it's a green gizmo with wires going into it. You can't just loosen the clamp screws and turn it to adjust the choke, so I figure it's some sort of electronically controlled anti-pollution choke control. My guess is that the wires go to a temperature sensor somewhere in the block or manifold and that something along the line has given out, hence the hard starting in cold weather.
My first impulse is to get a manual choke conversion kit; they have them at the auto store for $10-$15. I would guess that replacing all the electronic caps and sensors would run five or ten times that much. I don't have to worry about the manual choke affecting the trade-in value, as we'll probably just run it until it dies then have it hauled off, like we did with the last truck.
Does anyone know of a quick fix for the electric choke, like spraying WD-40 or something else simple and cheap? If not, I'll probably go with the manual choke kit.
Thanks,
Paul