Tillotson carb

[WerbyFord]

Originally Posted by KEN2939

Why do some A’s have a Zenith carb and others have a Tillotson carb? Is it by model or year?

All the OEM Model A's were either Holley or Zenith carbs (look the same, cast iron body, details differ like venturi and brass vs steel fittings).

Tillotson was aftermarket, but I do wonder when they came out.
We ran Tillotsons back in the 1960s so had to be before then.

[LAV]

Agree with Whitney 12

[J Franklin]

Originally Posted by LAV

Agree with Whitney 12

Building a bomb!

[jeepguy1948]

Tilly’s were like a JC Whitney thing. You could buy a new Tilly for less than a Zenith rebuild. I don’t think that it was intended to be an upgrade so much as it was an inexpensive replacement.
Now I will throw gasoline on the topic and say that the Marvel is by far the best! LoL.

[Herb Concord Ca]

When Zenith stopped making A/B Zenith carbs, Ford started suppling Tillotson and Marvel carbs as replacements, even assigning Ford part numbers to them.

[Fullraceflathead]

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The tillotson and marvel carburetor are better carburetors by design than the zenith the model A. runs much better with them!

[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by Herb Concord Ca

When Zenith stopped making A/B Zenith carbs, Ford started suppling Tillotson and Marvel carbs as replacements, even assigning Ford part numbers to them.

Agreed and the Marvels were also available from Sears (Allstate brand) and other vendors (Johnson brand).

[WerbyFord]

Originally Posted by Herb Concord Ca

When Zenith stopped making A/B Zenith carbs, Ford started suppling Tillotson and Marvel carbs as replacements, even assigning Ford part numbers to them.

Do you know when the Tillotson X came out & when it got in the Ford books?
My 1950 Ford Book shows the A carb xuperceded by the B carb, but no listing for a Tillotson.
But from this thread & others, Tillotsons were on cars by 1960-62 so had to be in the 1950s somewhere

[jeepguy1948]

And you all know about Marvel Mystery Oil, right? Same guy, he created MMO because his carburetors were having problems with bad fuel etc. I don’t know how much money he made selling Marvel carburetors but he no doubt made more selling MMO. FWIW, if you had an opportunity to drive a Model A with a downdraft carb (that has an accelerator pump!) such as a Stromberg, Weber, etc., you would throw your updraft (regardless of which one) away.

[Herb Concord Ca]

WerbyFord, I have the Ford part numbers, but don't know the date they were introduced.
Tillotson was assigned, B-9510-A3. The Marvel Schebler B-9510-A2. The Marvel Schebler part number used for Model A was 8-2843. Some of this information came from an article by Steve Pargeter in the Restorer, July/Aug 1995.

[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by jeepguy1948

And you all know about Marvel Mystery Oil, right? Same guy, he created MMO because his carburetors were having problems with bad fuel etc. I don’t know how much money he made selling Marvel carburetors but he no doubt made more selling MMO. FWIW, if you had an opportunity to drive a Model A with a downdraft carb (that has an accelerator pump!) such as a Stromberg, Weber, etc., you would throw your updraft (regardless of which one) away.

No argument, but a friend running a Weber just had his engine fill with gasoline due to a leaky shut-off valve. So each type have their own issues.

[WerbyFord]

Originally Posted by Herb Concord Ca

WerbyFord, I have the Ford part numbers, but don't know the date they were introduced.
Tillotson was assigned, B-9510-A3. The Marvel Schebler B-9510-A2. The Marvel Schebler part number used for Model A was 8-2843. Some of this information came from an article by Steve Pargeter in the Restorer, July/Aug 1995.

Good lead thanks!
Found this, some fun info here, Zenith Model B style replacement for Model A but different venturi & needle valve.

https://www.fordgarage.com/pages/nosbzenithcarb.htm