carb education

[CB919ER]

Is there any major difference in the different carbs on the Model A? Mine has a Marvel but I found a Tillotson under the seat. Which is better to us? Any idea why the different carb options?

[Patrick L.]

Ah, your one of the lucky ones to have a Marvel ! There are a good carburetor and seem to be the best over the Tilly and Zenith.

These monsters came with Zeniths, which are good carburetors.

Tillotsons seem to be an aftermarket item even though I believe Ford did sell them. I also really like Tillys even though they tend to be a bit problematic [ warpage and main jet thread issues]

Marvel also made them as replacements. Much like later model carburetors/vehicles, many were somewhat interchangeable, Motorcraft, Holley, Carter, Rochester,etc.

I had a few Marvel hulks that I was able to make one decent running carb from, along with the help of a barn member sending sending me a needed part.

Any time you decide to get rid of the Marvel, let me know.

[CB919ER]

Well, I just cleaned it and put new gaskets in it. Seems to be a pretty simply carb. I couldn't find anything close to resembling a rebuild kit. All I could find was the gaskets.

[Patrick L.]

Yep, your pretty much out of luck for spare parts. But, I have heard there is somebody that does sell them. I don't remember who though, I'd have to look to see if I wrote it down.

[Kevin in NJ]

The original with good correct sized original jets will be the best all around carb.

It will get to 60 MPH and over 20 MPG and can live with dirt. If you have to clean it or anything else it is just one bolt.

There maybe some advantages with the other carbs, but the original done right will just always work and work well.

[cpf240]

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Renner's Corner for Marvel rebuild kits and services. http://rennerscorner.com/index.html

[Synchro909]

Originally Posted by Kevin in NJ

The original with good correct sized original jets will be the best all around carb.

It will get to 60 MPH and over 20 MPG and can live with dirt. If you have to clean it or anything else it is just one bolt.

There maybe some advantages with the other carbs, but the original done right will just always work and work well.

Problem with the Zenith and the one bolt is that to take it apart while still bolted to the manifold, the long, thin tube is probably going to be bent as you try to get the bottom half around the steering column. Yet another instance of the poor design/lack of thought that went into the Model A. If they were going to sell them in RHD countries, you'd reckon they would think about some of these very basic issues, some of which are safety matters. Consider having a leak from the carburetor directly above the light switch and the likelihood of a spark. Dumb!

[CB919ER]

I was able to get a gasket kit from Mike A Fordable parts or something like that. Nice people to work with. I cleaned the snot out of it and we'll see if it works when I get the engine freed up