How much pain - China or Spain?

[Bob Riding]

A few years ago I purchased Tom Langdon's Weber clone carb, the Chinese made EMPI 32/36 with electric choke, to use in my '52 Suburban project.  I now plan to install it in the '40 Plymouth wagon, in place of the 2 single Carters that I've been running since 2015. Problem is, the electric choke requires 12 volts, and the wagon is still 6 volt + ground.  I thought about taking it to an EMPI dealer to see if I could get a trade-in credit against a manual choke model, then remembered that the Weber K551 32/36 DGV Series (that the EMPI is based) on has a pretty good reputation, as it is made in Spain and the build quality is good. I want to stay with the same design, as Tom modified my original air cleaner from oil bath to paper element and cut out the bottom to fit the EMPI. Anyone have any heartburn with the Chinese knockoff? 

 

[plymouthcranbrook]

I have the manual setup from Langdons on my 52 Plymouth with manual choke. It runs great straight out of the box. Some have said they had to change jets but mine runs great as provided. I was sorry to see he has discontinued the carb setup. If I remember reading right he is is now or is planning to retire or at least semi retire.

[9 foot box]

   EMPI has a 43-5352 manual choke element, if that would work for you. Rick D.

[Bob Riding]

4 minutes ago, 9 foot box said:

   EMPI has a 43-5352 manual choke element, if that would work for you. Rick D.

Is that something that would retrofit the electric choke to a manual setup? If so, that would be ideal.

[9 foot box]

    I’m still old school B&B. But I assume it converts an electric choke to manual. An EMPI manual choke carb is 44-1551–2. Rick D.

[maok]

Bob, you can remove the electric choke assembly and lock it in place, or as mentioned, install a manual choke assembly. I had to do this with my '36 Airstream because the choke was butting against the hood side. The other option you have is a 6v to 12v step-up transformer.

 

FYI, I have the cheap Chinese one on my Airstream and the expensive genuine one on my '37. Though, I have the 38/38 weber, which is synchronous throttle control, imo, much better than the 32/36 which is asynchronous.

[Sniper]

11 hours ago, Bob Riding said:

Is that something that would retrofit the electric choke to a manual setup? If so, that would be ideal.

 

https://empius.com/products/repl-manual-choke-assem-for-epc-32-36m-epc-38-32-36-dgv/

[Bob Riding]

16 hours ago, plymouthcranbrook said:

I have the manual setup from Langdons on my 52 Plymouth with manual choke. It runs great straight out of the box. Some have said they had to change jets but mine runs great as provided. I was sorry to see he has discontinued the carb setup. If I remember reading right he is is now or is planning to retire or at least semi retire.

I heard that too. I spoke with him back in '18. Very knowledgable and friendly.