34 PICT 3 Choke Issues - Maybe Bushings?

[NewTechnicIan]

Hi all, I've been driving my bug around this summer and loving it as it comes together a little bit more every time! One issue though, it seems like my choke may be having issues

So hear me out. I have a 1679, 34 PICT 3 Carb - rejetted to 55 idle and 125 main, SVDA dizzy. When the choke is fully off and the engine is warmed up, the thing ALWAYS runs beautifully. It's getting it warmed up that's the problem.

Most days it'll start right up without an issue. Sometimes it'll seem like it's coming off the choke too quickly and I need to give it gas to keep it going until the engine warms up enough to take the choke condition, sometimes it seems like it stays choked longer than it needs to, lots of gas smell and smoke.

I've adjusted the choke probably 8-10 times using the methods people talk about - Turning the choke spring until the choke is fully closed, and barely touching the choke pin.

However, it seems like the choke valve "holds up" randomly, and needs a little spring tension to move between positions sometimes. I would almost say it seems like the shaft isn't moving as smoothly as it could or as smoothly as it sounds like it should from people's descriptions.

Is there a way to grease the choke valve bushings or are there bushings that I need to replace to solve this issue? Or is this the main issue I'm having?

Anyway, thanks for your help!
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My 73 Standard build - It's painted! It drives under its own power! Time to get it wired and upholstered!

My 1679 Engine build.

[wcfvw69]

What brand 34-3 carb is this? Is the carb butterfly "sticking" in the housing? Sometimes they can get tweaked and the butterfly can "catch" against the side of the body.
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[NewTechnicIan]

wcfvw69, it's the original Solex for my engine. It does seem like it's sticking but not binding, just slow to respond. It's supposed to fall open under it's own weight, right? Because right now it seems like it needs some encouragement to move sometimes.
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My 73 Standard build - It's painted! It drives under its own power! Time to get it wired and upholstered!

My 1679 Engine build.

[wcfvw69]

[David_nc_72std]

One other thing to check, the fast idle cam is mounted on a brass bushing that is pressed into the side of the carburetor. The choke shaft passes through the bushing, and the little choke arm is mounted onto the end. That bushing can get lose and slide out of the carb body enough to press on the choke arm and make the choke stick.

[NewTechnicIan]

Well, I messed up REAL good on this one...

I got the choke butterfly out of the carb and was going to pull the shaft out the side. The 10 mm nut on the end of the shaft was stuck on pretty good so I put a little more force on it....and bent the shaft

I should have realized that without the butterfly the shaft strength was way compromised so I really buggered the thing up. I tried fighting with it for a few minutes, then just tossed it in the car and went to the local VW shop/parts yard. Noah happened to have a box full of carb parts and found an OG carb top from my same model, AND the butterfly falls open under its own weight! For $25 and a lunch time trip to see all the old aircooleds in the shop, I may have a solution by dinner time!
_________________
My 73 Standard build - It's painted! It drives under its own power! Time to get it wired and upholstered!

My 1679 Engine build.

[NewTechnicIan]

Just to close the loop on this thread, I got the new carb top installed in just a few minutes last night and it seems like things are ticking over better than ever on the engine! Starts right up and warms up way smoother than it did with the old choke. I'm psyched! Just in time for a 4th of July cruise with friends.
_________________
My 73 Standard build - It's painted! It drives under its own power! Time to get it wired and upholstered!

My 1679 Engine build.