The Ford Barn

Canton_Model_A's · 01-23-2023, 09:22 AM

Guys, I am at a crossroads, trying to get a new rebuilt Zenith from the vendors is proving to be difficult. My question is, which one is better, Zenith or Tillotson carbs? I can get a Tollotson from Mike's for 550. I think there is a guy near me that can possibly rebuild my Zenith-2. If anyone is in the Canton, MI area and is willing to examine my current carb, (I just did a rebuild on it) That would be great. With the snow and weather my '29 isn't going very far.

Dave

ndnchf · 01-23-2023, 09:43 AM

I'm sure you will get many opinions, non are wrong. But FWIW, my choice is the Marvel. I think it gives the best mix of easy starting, power, smoothness and reliability.

mcgarrett · 01-23-2023, 09:47 AM

Check out this link...

http://www.snjparts.com/19-Model-A-Carburetors

These guys might be able to help you with choices. All three brands work fine, but personally I prefer the Marvel for a car that's going to be driven regularly. It is a lot less troublesome, has fewer parts to replace, and my car runs outstandly better with the Marvel or the Tillotson. Your choice!

ronn · 01-23-2023, 10:23 AM

I prefer the Tillys over the zenith. just my opinion. Why not send yours to Berts and have them rebuild it?
they are about half the 550. quote you are mentioning.

Brentwood Bob · 01-23-2023, 11:57 AM

I would start with rebuilding your zenith. Or have it troubleshot. CA Victoria has a good selection with OEM jets, and I will vouch for his work, Look under the for sale listings. I also have a good inventory. Either way we should be able to get you a correct carb.
The pot metal carbs will leak. Think, pot metal, fragile, warping, etc.,

Canton_Model_A's · 01-23-2023, 12:15 PM

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wondering if I mis-did one of the jets. Smells rich when running, and I will have to re-clean it as I used Pine-Sol in my ultrasonic cleaner and didn't paint. What paint is recommended on the carbie?

Brentwood Bob · 01-23-2023, 12:26 PM

Rust oleum automotive. I use carb cleaner in a spray can, with the red plastic extension to chase all the circuits.

Dick M · 01-23-2023, 12:46 PM

I have used the Tilly, Zenith, and Marvel. I like Marvel the best and it is what I have on my A.
If a good price is what you are looking for, then go with the Marvel. A completely rebuilt and tested Marvel will cost around $200. Where to get such a deal?

MARVEL SHEMBLER CARBERATOR 903-490-3725
976 COUNTRY ROAD 2310 —[email protected]
Gary Johnston
TEXARKANA, TX 75503 CARBS/EXCELLENT WORK

Joe K · 01-23-2023, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronn

I prefer the Tillys over the zenith. just my opinion. Why not send yours to Berts and have them rebuild it?
they are about half the 550. quote you are mentioning.

Tilly X was my choice over the Zenith 1 on my truck.

I now have a couple of Marvels I would like to try - and there is a Mochi in my box too which would be fun.

Or possibly the Rayfield (RIF)?

So many carburetors - so many choices.

https://modela.org/other_carbs.html

Joe K

Herb Concord Ca · 01-23-2023, 08:10 PM

Marvel is a better choice. I have a Marvel on both my A's. Both cars run better with the Marvel.

nkaminar · 01-23-2023, 08:57 PM

I Googled "good carbs" on the internet and this is what it came up with:

Quinoa. . ...
Oats. ...
Buckwheat. ...
Bananas. ...
Sweet potatoes. ...
Beets. ...
Oranges. ...
Blueberries.

Y-Blockhead · 01-23-2023, 10:41 PM

I never realized there were so many Marvel fans. There is no one else in our club that has one (that I know of), besides me.

rich40701 · 01-24-2023, 12:59 AM

I have a Model B Zenith on my A and it runs and idles good.

Joe K · 01-24-2023, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rich40701

I have a Model B Zenith on my A and it runs and idles good.

Model A intake manifold? Or Model B - which will take the best advantage of a Model B Carb?

Some have been known to "ream out" the center uptake on an A manifold and get nearly there - without the obvious flat top.

Joe K

Robert/Texas · 01-24-2023, 09:05 AM

I agree with Dick M. I had a Zenith carburetor rebuilt by Gary Johnson last year at the recommendation of someone else on this form. He did a great job and tested the carb on his own car. The price was less then most of what has been reported here and his service was quick too.

ronn · 01-24-2023, 10:23 AM

I never realized there were so many Marvel fans. There is no one else in our club that has one (that I know of), besides me.

Marverlous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

rich40701 · 01-24-2023, 12:12 PM

Joe K, it is a reamed out model A intake. When I purchased the A it had not been enlarged but I have since opened it up.

81ls1camaro · 01-24-2023, 12:14 PM

There is a guy on the mafca Website selling restored zenith carbs at a reasonable price.
https://www.mafca.com/cl/cl-p-sale.html

sphanna · 01-24-2023, 05:32 PM

I have used Zenith A and B carbs and tillotson carbs on my Fordor. No issues with any. I now have a Marvel. I like it the best for best starting and fuel milage. 19-23 mph as apposed to17-20 with others. Have to open choke nob about 1/2 turn for best mixture.

01-23-2023, 09:22 AM	#1
Canton_Model_A's Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2022 Location: Canton, Michigan Posts: 118	Carb choices Guys, I am at a crossroads, trying to get a new rebuilt Zenith from the vendors is proving to be difficult. My question is, which one is better, Zenith or Tillotson carbs? I can get a Tollotson from Mike's for 550. I think there is a guy near me that can possibly rebuild my Zenith-2. If anyone is in the Canton, MI area and is willing to examine my current carb, (I just did a rebuild on it) That would be great. With the snow and weather my '29 isn't going very far. Dave

01-23-2023, 09:43 AM	#2
ndnchf Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Fredericksburg, Virginia Posts: 764	Re: Carb choices I'm sure you will get many opinions, non are wrong. But FWIW, my choice is the Marvel. I think it gives the best mix of easy starting, power, smoothness and reliability.

01-23-2023, 09:47 AM	#3
mcgarrett Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Waxahachie, Texas Posts: 949	Re: Carb choices Check out this link... http://www.snjparts.com/19-Model-A-Carburetors These guys might be able to help you with choices. All three brands work fine, but personally I prefer the Marvel for a car that's going to be driven regularly. It is a lot less troublesome, has fewer parts to replace, and my car runs outstandly better with the Marvel or the Tillotson. Your choice!

01-23-2023, 10:23 AM	#4
ronn Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: NNNNNNNNJJJJJJJJJJ Posts: 6,793	Re: Carb choices I prefer the Tillys over the zenith. just my opinion. Why not send yours to Berts and have them rebuild it? they are about half the 550. quote you are mentioning.

01-23-2023, 11:57 AM	#5
Brentwood Bob Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: brentwood, ca Posts: 4,247	Re: Carb choices I would start with rebuilding your zenith. Or have it troubleshot. CA Victoria has a good selection with OEM jets, and I will vouch for his work, Look under the for sale listings. I also have a good inventory. Either way we should be able to get you a correct carb. The pot metal carbs will leak. Think, pot metal, fragile, warping, etc., Last edited by Brentwood Bob; 01-23-2023 at 12:02 PM.

01-23-2023, 12:15 PM	#6
Canton_Model_A's Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2022 Location: Canton, Michigan Posts: 118	Re: Carb choices Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) wondering if I mis-did one of the jets. Smells rich when running, and I will have to re-clean it as I used Pine-Sol in my ultrasonic cleaner and didn't paint. What paint is recommended on the carbie?

01-23-2023, 12:26 PM	#7
Brentwood Bob Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: brentwood, ca Posts: 4,247	Re: Carb choices Rust oleum automotive. I use carb cleaner in a spray can, with the red plastic extension to chase all the circuits.

01-23-2023, 12:46 PM	#8
Dick M Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ukiah, CA Posts: 477	Re: Carb choices I have used the Tilly, Zenith, and Marvel. I like Marvel the best and it is what I have on my A. If a good price is what you are looking for, then go with the Marvel. A completely rebuilt and tested Marvel will cost around $200. Where to get such a deal? MARVEL SHEMBLER CARBERATOR 903-490-3725 976 COUNTRY ROAD 2310 —[email protected] Gary Johnston TEXARKANA, TX 75503 CARBS/EXCELLENT WORK

01-23-2023, 08:10 PM	#10
Herb Concord Ca Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Concord CA Posts: 637	Re: Carb choices Marvel is a better choice. I have a Marvel on both my A's. Both cars run better with the Marvel.

01-23-2023, 08:57 PM	#11
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,900	Re: Carb choices I Googled "good carbs" on the internet and this is what it came up with: Quinoa. . ... Oats. ... Buckwheat. ... Bananas. ... Sweet potatoes. ... Beets. ... Oranges. ... Blueberries. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

01-23-2023, 10:41 PM	#12
Y-Blockhead Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Redondo Beach, CA Posts: 5,849	Re: Carb choices I never realized there were so many Marvel fans. There is no one else in our club that has one (that I know of), besides me.

01-24-2023, 12:59 AM	#13
rich40701 Member Join Date: Mar 2022 Location: Corbin, KY Posts: 78	Re: Carb choices I have a Model B Zenith on my A and it runs and idles good.

01-24-2023, 09:05 AM	#15
Robert/Texas Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Burton, Texas Posts: 681	Re: Carb choices I agree with Dick M. I had a Zenith carburetor rebuilt by Gary Johnson last year at the recommendation of someone else on this form. He did a great job and tested the carb on his own car. The price was less then most of what has been reported here and his service was quick too.

01-24-2023, 10:23 AM	#16
ronn Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: NNNNNNNNJJJJJJJJJJ Posts: 6,793	Re: Carb choices I never realized there were so many Marvel fans. There is no one else in our club that has one (that I know of), besides me. Marverlous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

01-24-2023, 12:12 PM	#17
rich40701 Member Join Date: Mar 2022 Location: Corbin, KY Posts: 78	Re: Carb choices Joe K, it is a reamed out model A intake. When I purchased the A it had not been enlarged but I have since opened it up.

01-24-2023, 12:14 PM	#18
81ls1camaro Member Join Date: Jun 2022 Posts: 58	Re: Carb choices There is a guy on the mafca Website selling restored zenith carbs at a reasonable price. https://www.mafca.com/cl/cl-p-sale.html

01-24-2023, 05:32 PM	#19
sphanna Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Polk City, Iowa Posts: 526	Re: Carb choices I have used Zenith A and B carbs and tillotson carbs on my Fordor. No issues with any. I now have a Marvel. I like it the best for best starting and fuel milage. 19-23 mph as apposed to17-20 with others. Have to open choke nob about 1/2 turn for best mixture. __________________ Steve Hanna, Polk City, IA