I just got my 64 ford galaxie on the road. Its got a 352 with a autolite 4100 carb. I have lost the tube that goes from the choke to the exhaust manifold. I have lost the fittings also. I guess the choke is vacuum operated so therefore i have a car with no choke. Is there anybody out there that can help me find the tube and the fittings. Thanks in advance.

Firstly relax a bit, right now there are probably a million older fords that are running without that part hooked up or corroded or totally blocked, and those 2100/4100 Automotive chokes are still working to some extent.

Now for some clarification: This is not a vacuum system but works off of differing air temp pressures. You are basically taking cold clean air from the air filter (this is what incidently most people are missing) from the tube from the top of the carb, through a small rubber hose to a metal tube sticking out of the exhaust manifold on the passengers side. That metal tube lead to the block side of the exhaust manifold where there is a little baffle that allows that air to get superheated up, which then lead to a total metal tube leading to the choke housing. That air then make direct contact with the bimetal spring in the choke causing it to expand or contract depending upon the temperature.

Most of these sytems on many cars are basically inactive either to no fresh air supply or like in your case it has broken off or someone has installed headers, or it is just plane blocked.

The very good news is most of those bimetal springs react to the warming temperatures of the engine compartment and still have a reaction which opens the choke. Some of them even have the heater hose routed on the outside (in addition to the tube) which also cuases it to work.

But the very good news is there are lots of places that have these available, from your local parts stores which sells stove kits for headers (basically a metal box installed with heater hose clamp with a hole for an aluminum tube with a sleeve and the correct (or close) fitting).
Another source is MACS AUTO PARTS OUT OF LOCKPORT NY which specializes in fords of all amkes and varieties (if your doing a FORD you have to check them out) and they carry replacements.
Another source but again more expensive is PONY'S but they carry them.

If your at all handy for under 10 bucks you can improvise your own very, very easy. Since this is not under pressure no need for it to be leakfree, some tubing large enough to fit over where it broke off, (you could solder it if you were anal though) and the correct brass fittings and your in business again. Little bit of valspar fiberglass fireproof cover and it would even look "official".

Good Luck,

Bill White
White Automotive