Editor's Note: Frank Badelson, whose '71 Hemi 'Cuda graced the cover of our March issue, compiled the following data over a 30-year period of research and examination. While carb solenoids may not seem important to street performance readers, this often-overlooked subject will hopefully help readers in performance restoration identify the proper item for their cars.
While carburetor idle solenoids were part of most performance and multiple-carb applications as the musclecar era concluded, they have become a source of confusion for many people restoring their cars. The device mounted near the carburetor varied from application to application; this article will attempt to straighten out some of the misinformation by focusing on correct applications rather than Chrysler part numbers.
Due to changes in emissions laws, carb idle solenoids were used on all '69½ (M-code) 440-6bbls, all '70-'71 6bbl engines (including the 340 T/A-AAR packages), '70-'71 Hemi engines, and '70-'71 AVS-equipped engines.
'69 M-Code 440-6bbl
All '69½ 440-6 engines used an identical solenoid mounted on the left side of the intake manifold. The solenoid plunger (which is adjustable) used a brass hex head. All solenoids were stamped with an identification number that faces toward the front (radiator) of the engine. This number is DR11144420, and it is the only number that has shown up on the '69½ model engines.
A separate "hot" wire (not part of the wiring harness) is used to activate the solenoid. It is 55 inches long and made of a special heat-resistant wire with a dark brown covering. One end (with a dual-plug head) attaches to the voltage regulator, while the other is routed to the terminal at the bottom of the solenoid. The wire is routed from the regulator on the firewall down along the right side of the intake manifold, across the front, then back down the left side to the solenoid. A special Nylon adhesive-backed clip is mounted to the inside of the left valve cover, and the wire rests in this clip.
340 T/A-AAR 6BBL
All 340-6bbl engines used in the T/A-AAR package cars were equipped with a solenoid, which attached to the engine via a special bracket mounted towards the back of the front 2-bbl Holley. The two rear carb-to-intake bolts hold this bracket in place, and the I.D. number, DR1114429, is stamped on the barrel and faces the front of the engine. Like DR1114442, the plunger should have a brass round head. The solenoid wire, colored medium blue, is incorporated into the wiring harness, and a special nylon clip (either white or black) on the throttle return bracket holds the wire.
440 Carter AVS 4BBL
All Carter AVS-equipped 440-4bbls utilized a solenoid attached to a bracket on the right side of the carb. This is the same bracket used in the 340-4bbl AVS, but the solenoid is quite different. The I.D. numbers are DR1114421 (generally found on '70 models) and DR1114447 (generally found on '71 models) stamped on the side of the barrel. As seen here, there is a secondary ground male terminal on the hex head of the plunger, which is brass and adjustable. The positive wire, medium blue in color, connects to the terminal at the bottom of the plunger.