i need to know if it is worth it to switch to an electrical choke and distributor for my mostly original 70' chevelle malibu 307 4 door sedan. it is mostly original, with the exception of the carbeurator.

also, i need to know what kind of fuel mileage i should be getting with the 200 HP, 307 engine.

i don't know many details about my car or automotive mechanics because i am just now getting into this kind of stuff, so you'll just have to bear with me.

Unless you block off the heat riser passages ( fromthe heads to the intake) during an intake swap, the manual choke should be fine unless the bimetal spring has lost its "spring".

I agree with Gene, but just in case your like me, you may want to go with the Electronic choke. My reasons are,

1. I don't have to worry about the exhaust gate (the little device with the spring that flaps, whatever it's called), rusting and locking up.

2. It's easier to just adjust the electronic choke and forget it. I don't have to do anything with the little coil on the intake, bending the rod, etc, maintenace is basically gone.

Cons are:
1. You will have to run a hot wire from the fuse box (that is hot when the key is on) to the Electric choke.

Gas mileage, this all depends on a lot of things, like type of tranny, rear gears, how much you beat the car, and the condition of the engine. Plus the type of traffic and driving you do (a lot of stop and go, just freeway driving). With my old 327, I use to get close to 22 on the highway and around 14 around town.
The guy on the next street over just got rid of his 4 door 69 chevelle, and didn't even tell me. aaaarrrrggghhhh..

Fred.

If you are running a 'stock' air cleaner, you may have a clearance issue with an electric choke carb.

can anybody tell me what kind of replacement/extra parts i'll need to improve the gas mileage??? its an 4 speed automatic transmission and the engine is in surprisingly great shape ( i don't dog it). i already follow the driving techniques like not stopping suddenly and avoiding stop and go stuff as well as not going much over 60.

yeah, when i got mine i was looking for a car to drive. it just happens that one of the church families was looking to sell their great shape chevelle for just 1500$, i got the price down to 1300$ and bought it. and just think i almost bought the preacher 90' sable instead......it gives me the shudders to even think about what may have been. *shudder*

Whatsmattarfuru, don't ya believe in ANGELS, even Chevelle ones!?:)

Depending on the year of the engine, msot engines will respond to more igition timing quite well. THe key to look out for is that pinging sound, which means there is too much ignition timing. But if you havent checked the engine timing yet, theres a great place to start. Key is you will need a dial-back timing light.

What type of ignition is installed on the car now? Original, points? Meaning there is a distributor cap with a "door" that opens up to expose the innards, and you see a screw right there at the opening? Just a flip open type shutter door?