Carburetor needed - '37 Terraplane six

[Deleted User]

Second outing did not go as well as the "maiden voyage" ~X( Something is funky with the clutch and I def need a new carb, she sputtered, backfired and stalled out on the way home from our Studebaker summer picnic (perhaps she did not like the company) I had to tow her, luckily we were only a couple miles from home. I can get a Carter thru Kanter but was looking for a shorter turn-around time - any suggestions?

Jon B

Be sure to specify whether it's one or two barrel. The one barrel has a hand choke, the 2 bbl. has an automatic choke.

If a two-barrel (Carter 344S, 377S, 402S?) you might consider moving up to a Carter 501S, which was used in 1941-46 Hudson Sixes. It is an improved version of the 1937, which was the first 2 bbl. carb used by Hudson. I have used a 501 in my Terraplane for probably 35 years. I had it rebuilt by Daytona Parts maybe 5 years ago and it runs flawlessly. You have to make a couple minor modifications to make it fit. One is that you must replace the cross shaft in the 502, with the one from your original carb, so that the linkage will fit. The other, is that you have to extend the mounting studs coming off the intake manifold, especially if you want to use multiple spacers and a heat shield between the carb and the manifold. (This keeps the carb cool and prevents problems.) Of course you may wish to use the original carb in order to keep the car completely original.

Vintage Auto Parts has a couple 501S carbs in stock (new or rebuilt), $245-295 range. http://www.vapinc.com/

Auto Parts Obsolete has one for $99, new. http://www.autopartsobsolete.com/1941-42-46-47-hudson-carter-2-barrel-carburetor-501S.htm

But even though "new" these carbs may have been sitting in a box for 50 years, and the seals and gaskets may be dry. The only sure thing is to have someone rebuild a carb (such as Daytona Parts) with all new, state of the art gaskets and parts. It'll cost $275 to have Daytona make it into a "new" carb, or you can buy a kit for much less and do it yourself. But you might want to consider simply having a good used carb rebuilt, than trusting a "new" carb that's been sitting in a box for several decades. Especially if you drive the car on a regular basis.

[Deleted User]

All 36 Terraplanes had a 1 barrel carburetor, part #331s or the later #348s and are W-1 carbs. The # stamped on the base is #72. 2 barrel carbs started in 1937, WDO,s. Walt.

[Deleted User]

1937 Started the 2 barrel carbs WDO on model #72, carb #344s or 377s, which is an automatic choke model. The Terraplane 61 model and 71 model 1937 used the carb described above. The Terraplane model 62 -1936 used the 329s with automatic choke. The 501s will be to rich for the 1937. Walt.

[Deleted User]

It is has a single barrel down draft Carter with hand choke. @ Jon B - checking out Vintage Auto Parts site. I found a "factory" rebuilt fuel pump for her on Ebay (in crusty old box). I was concerned that the old seals and gaskets would hold up to the "new gas" - so far, so good.

Jon B

Definitely a valid consideration. They're using seals nowadays that work with Ethanol. The "NOS" may seem like a bargain but it isn't, considering the breakdowns that loom ahead. For a few bucks more you can get a modern rebuilt unit that you can install and be done with.

[Deleted User]

46Hudson PU came thu...thanks again Rick! In the process of cleaning it up. Keith had ordered the rebuild kit thru Kanter I believe prior to us actually having a problem with the carb. Hopefully this will solve THIS problem...