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08-10-2020, 07:20 AM | #1 |
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Location: West Virginia
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Zenith or Tillotson
Working on a AA. As found it had a Tillotson in pretty good shape. Any pros or cons to running the aftermarket carb on a driver? Working on rebuilding an engine now
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08-10-2020, 07:53 AM | #2 |
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Re: Zenith or Tillotson
Do a search. Mountains of threads on this subject! [/B]
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08-10-2020, 08:23 AM | #3 |
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Re: Zenith or Tillotson
Mountains of opinions too!
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08-10-2020, 10:30 AM | #4 |
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Re: Zenith or Tillotson
Rebuilt or new Zenith, another problem area solved.
I learned this the hard way! Enjoy. |
08-10-2020, 11:42 AM | #5 |
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Re: Zenith or Tillotson
If the Tillotson was working good, spend your money on the cooling system, with a tight fresh motor your cooling system will be taxed
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Don't force it with a little hammer tap, tap, tap get a bigger hammer tap done |
08-10-2020, 11:50 AM | #6 | |
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Re: Zenith or Tillotson
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Quote:
Finally traced it to the throttle shaft. It was so loose an oversize shaft almost fit with no reaming. It was not even round (the hole, not the shaft). It was sucking so much air in thru the throttle shaft (downstream of the jets) there was no way I could richen it up enough. Moral of this tail; If you buy a new Zenith, check it closely. New is not better. Update: I see new Zeniths are "Temporarily out of stock" at all of the vendors. Perhaps I am not the only one that had issues?
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Ruth "Sometimes you really DO need to read the whole thread" Last edited by Ruth; 08-10-2020 at 12:01 PM. |
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08-10-2020, 01:55 PM | #7 |
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Re: Zenith or Tillotson
Just installed another Zenith recently. Could never get one to idle like I liked and all had a decal gallop that I couldn't adjust out. Went thru a half dozen over the years.
Car had a Tillotson when we bought it. Acquired a few more over the years. Just installed the Tilly yesterday and glad I did. They run so much better. I like Marvel, but, only have one. It works very well. |
08-10-2020, 02:08 PM | #8 |
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Re: Zenith or Tillotson
I have a '31 Slant windshield with the correct side bowl Zenith and it seemed to run OK as far as I was concerned. A friend came across some NOS Tillotsons and gave me one. It had never been installed on a car judging from the lack of marks on the casting where the bolts tighten down. I was surprised at how much better the car seemed to run compared to the old Zenith. Maybe it ran better since it was new, but I noticed the difference in the smoother idle and better throttle response.
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08-10-2020, 02:10 PM | #9 |
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Re: Zenith or Tillotson
The Tillotson is currently used on a lot of Model A motors and seems to be acceptable. Purists will tell you that you need a Zenith. The choice is yours. If it runs well with the Tillotson, go ahead and use it! As mentioned in one of the other answers, there is also a Marvel Schebler carb that is used by a good number of people.
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08-10-2020, 04:51 PM | #10 |
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Re: Zenith or Tillotson
It sounds like the Tillotson will get a good tune up and cleaning while the engine is at the machine shop. Thanks guys. I understand about new not being better. Been down that road. I learned along time ago not to turn in your core before you check out the ‘rebuilt’ parts. Got a rebuilt starter once in worse shape than my old one.
I also build flintlock rifles and had to make bushings for one new lock because it had so much slop in tumbler bearings and ended up making new springs to get it functioning properly. |
08-10-2020, 07:34 PM | #11 |
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Re: Zenith or Tillotson
“Zenith for show, Tillotson for go!”
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08-10-2020, 08:07 PM | #12 |
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Re: Zenith or Tillotson
I want a go truck for sure and don’t plan on winning any shows with it. I will keep the tilli at least for now.
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08-11-2020, 12:08 AM | #13 |
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Re: Zenith or Tillotson
It will warp and suck air regularly. Zeniths in this part of the world always look like they have been a sacrificial anode at a plumbers convention. I haven't found one worth resuscitating.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=135403 |
08-11-2020, 05:18 AM | #14 |
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Re: Zenith or Tillotson
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08-11-2020, 05:21 AM | #15 | |
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Re: Zenith or Tillotson
Quote:
Tilly's are good carburetors. They are know for warping the body, but, thats not hard to fix. Be careful when taking them apart, especially the drain plug and nozzle. The threads are fragile. |
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08-11-2020, 05:26 AM | #16 |
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Re: Zenith or Tillotson
I run both and can't tell the difference when both carbs are set up and adjusted correctly. But I always check all surfaces for flatness.
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08-11-2020, 07:45 AM | #17 |
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Re: Zenith or Tillotson
Hey, no posts for Marvel carburetors? Every bit as good as a Zenith, Tillotson or maybe even better......
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08-11-2020, 08:07 AM | #18 |
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Re: Zenith or Tillotson
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08-11-2020, 11:43 AM | #19 |
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Re: Zenith or Tillotson
I prefer the Marvel carburetor more than the Tillotson . I always prefer the cast iron Zenith carburetor over any pot metal carburetor .
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08-11-2020, 12:16 PM | #20 |
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Re: Zenith or Tillotson
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08-11-2020, 03:00 PM | #21 |
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Re: Zenith or Tillotson
Zenith, when built correctly...
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08-11-2020, 03:52 PM | #22 |
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Location: Osoyoos British Columbia Canada
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Re: Zenith or Tillotson
Having just cleaned up my Tilly a couple of days ago... just this bit of advice. Be very gentle with threads... screw out a quarter turn, then in a quarter turn, and out a half turn, then in a quarter turn, and continue this until apart. Please take care of the thick gasket... I find the "kit" gasket too thin. And level/flat your body... 1200 wet/dry paper on a perfect V8 flywheel works with soft round strokes. Only sand enough to show the high spots as less. And yes be careful not to over tighten anything, especially the bottom plug! Also, connect your fuel line ...then mount the carb to intake. Snug all tight after in place.
Be kind to your Tillotson... and your Tillotson will be kind to you |
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08-11-2020, 04:00 PM | #23 |
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Re: Zenith or Tillotson
Thanks spooky and everyone else who responded. I will be careful. I have rebuilt a few pot metal carbs over the years and know how fragile those threads can be. This one looks pretty good externally and since it’s what I have I will go with it for now.
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08-12-2020, 09:24 AM | #24 |
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Re: Zenith or Tillotson
Good Morning all...My own experience has been that all of the after market carburetors from back in the day work well if they are set up properly...same with the Zenith carburetors...and that is the key...set up properly...often hard to do...even a new Zenith might need minor tinkering...some definitely do and others are just fine out of the box. Just about the same with people in my humble opinion! Ernie in Arizona
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