Hey all!! Im new to the site, new to carburetors, and just looking for some answers. I just bought my first ever project truck. Its a 1983 f-150 v8 302.

I know most trucks with carburetors have a heater tube. My truck does not have one right now, HOWEVER. every picture of every RE-MANUFACTURED carb that shares the same carb tag number as mine (e3te-ava) has some sort of extra "tube" like object coming from the carburetor. (see pictures below) So do you think mine should have a heater tube? Did mine snap or break off?

Ive read multiple threads on here about heater tubes and how it should look.

Also, I wanted to replace my choke thermostat. Some thermostats have a few screws to undo and the thermostat comes off. On my carb, there are 3 studs that look like they were made to be tamper proof. Is this the case? Can I drill out these screws and later replace them with others? (see picture below)



Thank you for your time and appreciate any help I can get!!



RE-MANUFACTURED CARB PIC


you can see inside a little bit. look at picture above at the re-manufatured carb pic. See the difference? Im missing that tube coming off. What is that for??



snapped off heater tube? No gold nut or threaded parts....




Here is the tamper proof nuts. Can I drill these out and replace them so I can change out my choke thermostat?

 

Some carbs have a flare nut and metal line others a barbed stub like the top photo with a rubber line.
vacuum pulls hot air through to assist choke opening.
I think Dorman has those in their Motormite/ HELP! line of parts.

The best thing I have found for those tamper proof screws is to cut a slot and use a screwdriver.
If you drill the head off you won't have much to grab and they are harder than the surrounding choke housing.

 

Thanks a lot. So this barbed stub is indeed for the heater tube then correct? Its just a different style. I bought the doorman HELP! part to fix this I just want to make sure that it was indeed the heater tube. I dont want to force hot air into something and melt the choke thermostat or something crazy like that!!

Im going to try and cut a slot in the screws. Hope I dont go to deep or cut into anything important!!! Thank you ArdWrknTrk