The Ford Barn

30blindback · 01-12-2021, 06:53 PM

I've got 2 Marvel carburetors I have rebuilt. The information I have gathered refers to these as better than the original Zenith giving more performance than the Zenith.
I have cleaned all passages, flattened the mounting flange, and replaced all gaskets. The throttle shaft is tight. If interested Email me, please. $150.00ea
[email protected]

mcgarrett · 01-12-2021, 07:32 PM

Hey Jon,
Nice looking carb. I had been running the correct side bowl Zenith on my '31 Slant Windshield, but a friend gave me a new old stock Tillotson. I decided to try it to see if it performed better. I was surprised at how much easier the car started, idled, and went down the road. Do you have any information about how the Marvel compares to the Tillotson?
Mike in Texas

01A · 01-12-2021, 09:52 PM

Hi Mike in Texas. My 29 Tudor came with a Tillotson so I cannot compare to a Zenith although I have been told and reading of better performance with the Tillotson. A year ago I swapped it for a Marvel. I noticed a nice improvement so now the Tillotson is my spare carb.
That's my experience.
Paul

bob from red oak · 01-13-2021, 06:49 AM

A friend of mine recently swapped his Zenith for a Tillotson. Ran slightly better but biggest difference for him was slightly improved gas mileage. I have always had Tillotson. Can't compare to Zenith but pleased with it.

neds29 · 01-13-2021, 11:38 AM

I have a Tillotson and am having problems with it leaking. Runs OK though.

henry's 31 · 01-17-2021, 07:36 PM

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Hi Neds29:

What I have found is one reason they leak is because the metal is thinner and it warps a lot easier.

Y-Blockhead · 01-18-2021, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by henry's 31

Hi Neds29:

What I have found is one reason they leak is because the metal is thinner and it warps a lot easier.

Same with the Marvel Schebler, soft metal. Ensure not to over tighten the screws. I only tighten the screws until the lock washer flattens, no more. I have been cutting my own gaskets also using Cork/Buna-N. No leaks.

dmaxweb · 04-02-2021, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead

Same with the Marvel Schebler, soft metal. Ensure not to over tighten the screws. I only tighten the screws until the lock washer flattens, no more. I have been cutting my own gaskets also using Cork/Buna-N. No leaks.

How thick is that gasket material?

Ruth · 04-03-2021, 12:30 AM

I have a Marvel that weeps a little. I think I will try a cork gasket also.

Y-Blockhead · 04-03-2021, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmaxweb

How thick is that gasket material?

I use 1/32" cork/buna-N gasket material. It is softer than the paper gaskets available and conforms to slight warpage on the carb body without the need to over tighten.

Y-Blockhead · 01-13-2021, 11:44 AM

These past months during the Corona isolation to keep myself busy, I rebuilt a couple of Marvel Schebler carbs I had. I also went thru a few of Zeniths I have.

In swapping out the various carbs for testing The Marvels perform better on my car than any of the Zeniths. Both Marvels easily idle at 400 RPM and are smoother throughout the RPM range.

Two of the Zeniths performed good, it is just that the Marvels were better, IMO. I don't have a Tillotson to play with.

The third Zenith, a newer air balanced Zenith I bought from Snyders was a POS. I could not get it to idle and ran super lean. Upon closer inspection there was excessive clearance in the throttle shaft... on a new carb! After installing an O/S shaft it runs OK, but still not as good as the other Zeniths or the Marvel Scheblers.

I have a Marvel on my car now.

Herb Concord Ca · 01-13-2021, 01:42 PM

I have same experience as Paul (O1A). I have rebuilt both Tillotsons and Marvels, the Marvels run better than Tillotsons, in my opinion.

Y-Blockhead · 01-13-2021, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 30blindback

I've got 2 Marvel carburetors I have rebuilt. The information I have gathered refers to these as better than the original Zenith giving more performance than the Zenith.
I have cleaned all passages, flattened the mounting flange, and replaced all gaskets. The throttle shaft is tight. If interested Email me, please. $150.00ea
[email protected]

Jon have you tried advertising in the "Swap Meet" section?

dmaxweb · 01-17-2021, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead

Jon have you tried advertising in the "Swap Meet" section?

I'm rebuilding some Marvel carbs as well. Are the choke and throttle plate screws the same size as Zenith? If not, do you know the size?
Thanks

Y-Blockhead · 01-17-2021, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmaxweb

I'm rebuilding some Marvel carbs as well. Are the choke and throttle plate screws the same size as Zenith? If not, do you know the size?
Thanks

I do not know off the top of my head but I do have a Marvel apart out in the garage. I will measure them when I get out there (moving slow this morn...)

Edit: The Zenith and Marvel have the same size thread (6X32) but the Zenith throttle plate screws are longer.

Dave Renner, https://rennerscorner.com/carburetor.html, would know. He has rebuild kits and small parts for Marvels. He has used parts too. I just got a good used throttle shaft from him to replace one of my worn ones.

Heck of a nice guy too...

Benson · 04-06-2021, 10:45 AM

Originally Posted by Benson View Post
I do not know about Marvel but Zenith choke and throttle plate screws are 5-40.

Benson · 04-06-2021, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead

I do not know off the top of my head but I do have a Marvel apart out in the garage. I will measure them when I get out there (moving slow this morn...)

Edit: The Zenith and Marvel have the same size thread (6X32) but the Zenith throttle plate screws are longer.

Dave Renner, https://rennerscorner.com/carburetor.html, would know. He has rebuild kits and small parts for Marvels. He has used parts too. I just got a good used throttle shaft from him to replace one of my worn ones.

Heck of a nice guy too...

I guess that I better recall the restored Zenith carburetors that I sent out into the field because they do not have 6x32 screws, they have the correct 5-40 screws in both shafts.

Y-Blockhead · 04-06-2021, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benson

I guess that I better recall the 1800 plus restored Zenith carburetors that I sent out into the field because they have 5-40 screws in both shafts.

Benson, I'm sure you are correct on the Zenith. When I answered that question all I did was compare a Zenith screw that I pulled out of a spare Zenith with a Marvel screw. Maybe that one Zenith I picked had an oversize screw?? My bad.

Regardless, a Marvel uses one 6-32 screw in the throttle plate.

But I do think you should go ahead and recall your 1800 plus restored Zenith carburetors just to check...

Benson · 04-06-2021, 10:18 AM

Originally Posted by Benson View Post
I do not know about Marvel but Zenith choke and throttle plate screws are 5-40.

Y-Blockhead · 04-06-2021, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benson

I do not know about Marvel but Zenith choke and throttle plate screws are 5-40.

Marvel screw sizes;

01-12-2021, 07:32 PM	#2
mcgarrett Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Waxahachie, Texas Posts: 949	Re: Marvel Carburetor Hey Jon, Nice looking carb. I had been running the correct side bowl Zenith on my '31 Slant Windshield, but a friend gave me a new old stock Tillotson. I decided to try it to see if it performed better. I was surprised at how much easier the car started, idled, and went down the road. Do you have any information about how the Marvel compares to the Tillotson? Mike in Texas

01-12-2021, 09:52 PM	#3
01A Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Aston, Pa Posts: 13	Re: Marvel Carburetor Hi Mike in Texas. My 29 Tudor came with a Tillotson so I cannot compare to a Zenith although I have been told and reading of better performance with the Tillotson. A year ago I swapped it for a Marvel. I noticed a nice improvement so now the Tillotson is my spare carb. That's my experience. Paul

01-13-2021, 06:49 AM	#4
bob from red oak Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: red oak texas Posts: 65	Re: Marvel Carburetor A friend of mine recently swapped his Zenith for a Tillotson. Ran slightly better but biggest difference for him was slightly improved gas mileage. I have always had Tillotson. Can't compare to Zenith but pleased with it.

01-13-2021, 11:38 AM	#5
neds29 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Ahwatukee, AZ Posts: 115	Re: Marvel Carburetor I have a Tillotson and am having problems with it leaking. Runs OK though. __________________ Retired civil engineer. Winters in Phoenix, summers in Ipswich, Mass. and North Dakota. '29 closed cab pickup- Excellent AZ truck. '29 roadster- Owned for 21 years but now sold. '28 CC pickup- My first car in Andover, MA back in '62- '63.

01-17-2021, 07:36 PM	#6
henry's 31 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Columbus(Cataula) Georgia Posts: 849	Re: Marvel Carburetor Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Hi Neds29: What I have found is one reason they leak is because the metal is thinner and it warps a lot easier. __________________ Henry' s 31

04-03-2021, 12:30 AM	#9
Ruth Senior Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: Glide, Oregon Posts: 1,339	Re: Marvel Carburetor I have a Marvel that weeps a little. I think I will try a cork gasket also. __________________ Ruth "Sometimes you really DO need to read the whole thread"

01-13-2021, 11:44 AM	#11
Y-Blockhead Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Redondo Beach, CA Posts: 5,849	Re: Marvel Carburetor These past months during the Corona isolation to keep myself busy, I rebuilt a couple of Marvel Schebler carbs I had. I also went thru a few of Zeniths I have. In swapping out the various carbs for testing The Marvels perform better on my car than any of the Zeniths. Both Marvels easily idle at 400 RPM and are smoother throughout the RPM range. Two of the Zeniths performed good, it is just that the Marvels were better, IMO. I don't have a Tillotson to play with. The third Zenith, a newer air balanced Zenith I bought from Snyders was a POS. I could not get it to idle and ran super lean. Upon closer inspection there was excessive clearance in the throttle shaft... on a new carb! After installing an O/S shaft it runs OK, but still not as good as the other Zeniths or the Marvel Scheblers. I have a Marvel on my car now. Last edited by Y-Blockhead; 01-13-2021 at 02:09 PM.

01-13-2021, 01:42 PM	#12
Herb Concord Ca Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Concord CA Posts: 637	Re: Marvel Carburetor I have same experience as Paul (O1A). I have rebuilt both Tillotsons and Marvels, the Marvels run better than Tillotsons, in my opinion.

04-06-2021, 10:45 AM	#16
Benson Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,597	Re: Marvel Carburetor Originally Posted by Benson View Post I do not know about Marvel but Zenith choke and throttle plate screws are 5-40. Last edited by Benson; 04-06-2021 at 10:53 AM.

04-06-2021, 10:18 AM	#19
Benson Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,597	Re: Marvel Carburetor Originally Posted by Benson View Post I do not know about Marvel but Zenith choke and throttle plate screws are 5-40. Last edited by Benson; 04-06-2021 at 11:31 AM.