Updraft Carb Question

[Deleted User]

I have to put another carb on my DB pickup. The Carter BB-1 is highly recommended and I can get one for about $250, or I can buy a brand new Zenith for the same money. The Zenith is an industrial unit so no accelerator pump. I'm wondering what difference that will make. I know in cold starting an accelerator pump will help you start without a choke and I believe it will reduce acceleration lag but I'm not sure. I have seen old carbs with no accelerator pumps and they didn't seem to be handicapped by the lack of one. What do you guys think, would the new Zenith work under normal driving conditions, the Tillotson on the truck now does not have a pump either. Or should I stick with the Carter?



Harry

[Deleted User]

Guys, I'm bumping this back up to the top in the hopes that someone can answer this question for me before I make this purchase.



Harry

mars55

It is not necessity to have a accelerator pump to prevent acceleration lag. As you noted not all carbs have accelerator pumps. There are other methods of riching the mixture during acceleraton. On the question of which carb to buy, does the Zenith have a easy way adjust the main jet? The Carter BB-1 does. You need change the main jet to fit your engine and ease of adjustment could tip the scale in favor of one.

SuperDave

The four cylinder Model A and B Fords run just fine on an updraft Zenith with no pump.

[Deleted User]

Mars55, thank you. SuperDave, the Zenith does have an adjustable main jet. While I am trying to use the appropriate equipment for this truck, neither of these carbs would be original equipment so I have to decide if I want the Brass Bowl Carter that is rebuilt but more correct or the brand new Zenith which could be period correct if it was 80 years old. Since the truck will never be a show truck in my hands I think the new carb will be a good choice.



Harry

SuperDave

Harry,

I guess I am a purist at heart. I find that it is a challange to make the old original stuff work. I figure that it worked once, why not again. And then there is the personal challange that " someone with less intelligence than me fixed it to make it work. Why can't I?"

The common consensus for many years among the Model A People was that the Tillotson was a superior carb to the original Zenith. I subscribed to that, since I never had a Zenith that worked! But after taking the time to do one right.. I was pleasently surprised that the Zenith side sediment bowl carb on my late 31 Ford out perfroms any Tillotson I ever had. I have to mention that I bought this car in 1956. It's had a few carbs since then.

Oh yes........ this is a Hudson Forum.. I So I have to say i would rather be driving my 49 Super Six!

[Deleted User]

SuperDave wrote:

Harry,

I guess I am a purist at heart. I find that it is a challange to make the old original stuff work. I figure that it worked once, why not again. And then there is the personal challange that " someone with less intelligence than me fixed it to make it work. Why can't I?"

The common consensus for many years among the Model A People was that the Tillotson was a superior carb to the original Zenith. I subscribed to that, since I never had a Zenith that worked! But after taking the time to do one right.. I was pleasently surprised that the Zenith side sediment bowl carb on my late 31 Ford out perfroms any Tillotson I ever had. I have to mention that I bought this car in 1956. It's had a few carbs since then.

Oh yes........ this is a Hudson Forum.. I So I have to say i would rather be driving my 49 Super Six!

Dave, the Tillotson isn't original for this truck, it should be a Stromberg, but I believe the Zenith was available. The Carter was an aftermarket carb. If I could find a kit for the Tillotson I would try rebuilding it after all I did rebuild the carbs on my HORNET, (notice the Hudson reference).



Harry

mars55

Harry Hill wrote:

If I could find a kit for the Tillotson I would try rebuilding it after all I did rebuild the carbs on my HORNET, (notice the Hudson reference).



Harry

This company says that they have repair kits for Tillotsons.



http://www.thecarburetorshop.com/

[Deleted User]

I should have said if I could find an affordable kit. I talked with this shop last week he wanted more for a kit than either of these carbs will cost me rebuilt or new. He's real proud of his stuff. All he talked about was supplying parts for the Great American Race and how they have run the prices up so high. I guess he figures he has his market, it just doesn't include poor boys like me. Thanks though, I appreciate your looking for me.



Harry

dover1

Afla Products Inc 1433 Fairbrook Dr. Des Peres Mo. 63131 314-821-6037 has rebuild kits for Zenith carburetors at very affordable prices.

mars55

Well, is the Tillotsons used on Ford Model As the same or similar to your carb? What is the model number of your carb?

[Deleted User]

Mars55, I don't know what model the carb is. There isn't any stampings on the carb except the word Tillotson. I can tell you the bolt spread is 2 3/8" and the bolts are inline with the body of the carb instead of cross ways as I've seen on some updraft carbs. I think the original carb on the truck was a Stewart, I haven't seen one of those anywhere though. The Carter BB-1 comes highly recommended as does the Zenith. It seems to be the general consensus that the Tillotson leaves a lot to be desired.



Harry

mars55

Is your Tillotson carb like the one shown on this web site?



http://www.carburetor.ca/carbs/kits/CK402.htm



This a Ford Model A carb.

Geoff

Tillotson made a variety of generic carburettors for universal use. They were of variying throat sizes, and most all had an adjustable main jet and control arms that could be situated either side on the throttle shaft. They were pretty basic, and did a reasonable job. Some had accelerator pumps. They were generaly cheap, and easier to fit a new one of these than try and resurrect, for instance, a Marvel carb as used on Hudson, Buick, and Nash. sometimes it takes severel hours mucking about getting these to go properly, if at all, and much cheaper to throw a new carb on. Carter did similar with down-draught carburettors, making a universal WA1 model, which had an adjustable jet under the cover. Just a bit of info.

Geoff.

[Deleted User]

Geoff, how do you feel about a carb with no accelerator pump?



Harry

[Deleted User]

mars55 wrote:

Is your Tillotson carb like the one shown on this web site?

Mars55, it does look like that carb. It doesn't have the usual metal tab any where so I don't know the number. I'll tell you something though, when I called this shop the really denigrated the Tillotson and quoted me a much higher price on the kit. Now I wonder who I was talking to. Thank you though for continuing to find these sites and your help. Now I know I can get a kit for a decent price and see if I can make this Tillotson work without leaking.



Harry

Geoff

Harry Hill wrote:

Geoff, how do you feel about a carb with no accelerator pump?



Harry

I prefer them. Pumps waste a lot of fuel on an updraught fitting. I have used Model A, and Zenith carbs on my Essex, but have gone back to the original Stewart, for the sake of originality. None of them have accelerator pumps, and I have never experience problems with changing down gears, or acceleration.

Geoff.

SuperDave

I agree with Geoff (as I usualy do) My Model A will keep up with the traffic without a pump. But I do have Chevy intake valves, light flywheel,B cam and a balanced crank. Don't need no stinkin' pump!

[Deleted User]

Thanks Geoff and Dave, I could not understand the need for a pump on an updraft carb but I thought maybe I was missing something not having had one for a long time, since about 1965 I think. I drive tractors all the time and some with carbs and some with injection but tractors aren't cars so I wasn't sure if not having an accelerator pump would affect the automobile. It appears it isn't necessary. It would be nice though to have an original carb, which I think is a Stewart but if I can get a new carb for the same price as a rebuilt carb I think I'll go with the new carb. At least until I find an OE.



Harry