The Low Carb Diet ( or Choke This! )

The Pocket Rocket, a '77 Dodge Tradesman with a Dodge 7.2-liter 440, can be a daunting vehicle to drive. Sometimes, she is just going to do what she's going to do. This is the story of one of those days:

Josh, Greg and I were packing up the Rocket for the music video shoot, which we were going to be doing the next morning. We filled her to the gills with musical gear, and we were all ready to go relax a little bit before our crazy weekend of filming and playing. Of course, this is when the Rocket decided to act up, and not start.

Something has gone wrong!

We could smell gas, so the fuel pump was working. I pulled a wire off the distributor and found spark on turn-over, so that wasn't the problem. What the hell?

A short disclaimer: I have never owned a vehicle with a carburetor before. Every vehicle, including my 1980 Chevrolet Citation, was fuel-injected. The carburetor was a device that was, in my mind, slightly mysterious. I understood the basic operation inside the engine, but I've never dealt with one directly on a vehicle that I've owned or been in charge of the maintenance of. (Carburetor? Learn here!)

So, I pulled the cover off the engine, which is inside the vehicle itself, and started poking about. Perhaps some Ether, I thought. Maybe the spark is weak and the ether will help her take off. Well, turns out I was pretty wrong, although closer to the right track than not. Danny's neighbor, is a retired mechanic, and offered to come over and have a look for us. Upon sticking his head into the cab of the van, he instantly located the problem.

Ah, here's you're problem, kid. You have no idea what's going on.

Danny's neighbor declared that our choke was stuck closed, and proceeded to un-stick it for us. While Greg and Josh chatted outside, He showed me all the workings of the mysterious carburetor, including the bent choke-flap that might cause some sticking problems in the future. He was incredibly kind about my lack of knowledge, and even cleaned and adjusted the carb for us. So, now we know, and knowing is half the battle!

Describing the operation of the choke on the carburetor to me

Thanks of your help and knowledge, Danny' neighbor. The Empty Pockets really appreciate you getting us back on the road. Plus now we know what to keep an eye on whilst we're out in the wild again. Hurray for carburetors!

-Nate Bellon-bass