Hi all!
I got my Autolite 4100 all set for a rebuild and I have read the shop manual on the adjustments 10 times I can not figure out how the .036 gauge fits in the choke piston. Section 10-10 in the '65 shop manual.
quote: Insert bent end of gauge between the lower edge of the piston slot and the upper edge of the right hand slot in the choke housing, and pull the choke countershaft lever counterclockwise untill the gauge is snug in the piston slot. This paragraph is really kicking my rear end! Anyone done this that could enlighten me would be greatly appreciated!!!
Thanks, Walt

 

Just unsrew the spring housing and turn it till the chock opens a little to let air into the carb, it can be more than 0.036 you dont need to take off the Thermostatic housing to do this! You'll be there all week if you use the book to try and figure out what the hell they're talking about!

 

Yeah, Joe is right....that choke adjustment isn't all that critical. You have a great carburetor. Shelby’s people had it mastered a long time ago. When we think about carburetion for a super restomod, thoughts turn to Holley, Edelbrock, and Carter performance carburetors. But did you know the Autolite 4100 four-barrel carburetor outperforms these carburetors in nearly every arena? The 4100 is a fiercely reliable carburetor that needs virtually no maintenance throughout its service life.

When Ford engineers went to the drawing board approaching 50 years ago to design the 2100 two-barrel and 4100 four-barrel Autolite carburetors, they over-engineered them in every respect. Fuel leakage is virtually impossible, because these carburetors are one solid casting with integral fuel bowls. The accelerator pump is fully adjustable. Remove the air horn and adjust the floats even with the engine running. Choke adjustment is a cakewalk. The greatest advantage behind the 2100 and 4100 is simplicity.

 

If you want good cold weather starts, you're going to want the choke plate to close fully when cold. The choke pull off should be adjusted to open the choke plate about a quarter of an inch after the car starts. The choke coil will then take over and open the plate fully as the motor warms. Soaring's right, 4100's are great carburetors and perform excellent. Oh by the way, Shelby's didn't use Autolites, they had 715 CFM Holleys on the four speed cars and 600 Holleys on the automatics. The 289/271 did use them though.

 

Hi all!,
I guess I am to critical on the adjustments. I did not know about the 4100 untill I bought it. I just wanted a stock carb. The more research I do the happier I am I got the 4100.
thanks, Walt

 

Thanks for the good info on the choke. I also have a 4100 carb, but having a little problem. At idle it is burning very rich and blowing out lots of black soot. I installed the proper jets, lowered the float level and adjusted the choke, at the spring cover. It is still blowing soot, I am wondering if the linkage between the choke shaft and other idle linkage is not correct. Any suggestions on what to do for a leaner burn. This is for my 66 GT.

Mike

 

Just make sure your idle adjustment screws are turned out about 2-2 1/2 turns and that the butterfly is completely open when the engine is warm. Other than that, you might want to overhaul that carb so that the jets, etc, are completely clean.

 

if you hear a crackling sound from the carb throat while the engine is running it is indicative of the main venturis leaking fuel. Look into the venturi area with a flash light and look for fuel drops. it you see them, time for a Carboverhaul.