Can I replace my Carter W1 with a different carb ?

Old Fogey UK

I'm tearing my hair out over the Carter W1 on my 34 Hudson Eight. I've rebuilt it three times now and however I try to adjust it, I can't stop it running rich - with pathetic gas mileage, sooty plugs and exhaust.  It's probably plain worn out. 
I am reaching the point of junking it. Can I replace it with another carb ?
Would a Stromberg 97 with an adapter flange or a Zenith 228 work OK on the 254 cu.in motor ?
Are there any other readily available carbs that would work ?
I'd be grateful for advice please.

tombia

Check your fuel pressure. I remember should be 4-5#???. You are dumping the float.

SuperDave

---or the float is leaking and has fuel in it.

Uncle Josh

Or the float is set too high, or as happened to me once, the little clip that was supposed to pull the needle down out of the seat was hanging up and preventing the needle from seating.  Had to throw it out.

Geoff

Also try lowering the float level, this will make a considerable difference.  Modern petrol has much lower specific gravity and viscosity that the 1934 stuff.  If none of that works, then yes, you can use any variety of 1-1/2" replacement carburetors.  The later WA1 works fine, as does a Zenith ( I have the latter on my Jet, with and adjustable main jet needle.) Good luck,
Geoff

Ol racer

FYI
Some good suggestions above but if everything fails you can always install another carb. I put a Chevy V8 2bbl on one of my Hornets because I had a good one. It bolted right onto the manifold and the linkage fit with only slight modification.  Gas mileage  was no different & duns nicely.

Old Fogey UK

Geoff C., N.Z. said:

Also try lowering the float level, this will make a considerable difference.  Modern petrol has much lower specific gravity and viscosity that the 1934 stuff.  If none of that works, then yes, you can use any variety of 1-1/2" replacement carburetors.  The later WA1 works fine, as does a Zenith ( I have the latter on my Jet, with and adjustable main jet needle.) Good luck,
Geoff

Thank you to all for your advice.
I have tried just about everything suggested here, including a leaner metering rod - except lowering  the float level. I will give that a try as a last resort.
A fuel regulator has made no difference.
I have an inline electric pump at the tank end supplying a rebuilt mechanical pump. Switching off the electric pump makes no difference.
An old-time mechanic friend who has a WW2 jeep with a Carter W1 has spent hours on it too.
The darned thing runs alright for a few dozen miles and then gets back up to its old tricks.
Buying another old carb to rebuild is a gamble and after the heartbreak of this one, I am reluctant to do that. So maybe a brand new carb is the answer, if a pricey one.
The British agent for Stromberg says the 97 will work with an adapter but it's an expensive carb over here and I don't want to waste a lot of money on one that won't do the job.
Geoff - which Zenith did you use on your Jet ? Was it the 228 ? They can be bought new. You can also get a Chinese replica Zenith 228 but I don't know how good it would  be. Please can you suggest any other viable replacements ? I've gone off Carters a bit !

hudsonguy

You can check out the new universal carburetor made by Daytona  in Florida. I've seen these on Hudsons. The owners seem to really like the adjustable main jets.

hudsonguy

https://daytonaparts.com/universal-replacement-carburetor.html

Old Fogey UK

hudsonguy said:

https://daytonaparts.com/universal-replacement-carburetor.html

Thank you. Daytona think their Zenith type Chevrolet carb will work best for me.

dholck

I had Walt Mordenti rebuild the carb on my 34 and have had no trouble with it.