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Old 12-19-2012, 10:41 PM   #1
Wilbur
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Default Newbie question about Tillotson carb

My newly acquired 29 has a Tillotson carb. I am wondering about the proper setting of the choke rod adjusting needle for driving speeds.

The Les Andrews book only addresses the Zenith carb and my Ford manual (Zenith again) says to enrichen the setting for starting and warmup and then to nearly close it for driving. My Tillotson won't run at that lean setting. I'm going to pull the carb off this weekend, soak it and re-do it with the kit. Any advice would be great.
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Old 12-19-2012, 11:45 PM   #2
Jack '29 Sport Coupe
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Default Re: Newbie question about Tillotson carb

Nealy closing it, as you stated, is very subjective with each carb. On some it might
be 1/8, 1/4,just depends. The way I do mine is by "ear." I've had
both Zenith and Tilly. I have three spare Tilly carbs and two spare Zeniths and none
are alike. Try the ear method and when you find what seems to be a good setting, try it for awhile and then monitor your mileage, check the plugs for signs of too rich or too lean. JMHO.

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Old 12-19-2012, 11:51 PM   #3
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Default Re: Newbie question about Tillotson carb

I just got a re-built Tilly. Runs great with the GAV about 1/4 open. This is to say that if closed is at 12:00 turn counter clockwise to 9:00. Your carb may be different, but I have read on this forum that most run at 1/4 open. I would also recommend using the Tillotson Ball Type Needle/Seat when rebuilding. My Tily leaked until I put it in. Now I have no leaks whatsoever. I'm sure more will comment and have more sound advice. I'm still a newbie and learning. Here is a link to the needle and seat I put in. http://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/5599
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Last edited by Junior; 12-19-2012 at 11:58 PM.
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Old 12-20-2012, 01:00 AM   #4
BILL WILLIAMSON
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Default Re: Newbie question about Tillotson carb

Yo, Wilbur,
Chief taught me: With warm engine, run 20 to 25 steady in 2nd gear & adjust mixture rod for the best, smoothest running. At that setting, if it runs O.K. at cold start & on up until warm, just LEAVE it alone & don't diddle with it! NOT tryin' to sound smart, but that's just how he told ME!! Bill W.
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Old 12-20-2012, 06:53 AM   #5
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Default Re: Newbie question about Tillotson carb

1/4 to 1/2 turn seems to well for Tillotsons when warm. Open additional 1/2 turn when starting and the first 1/2 mile or so. Just make sure you don't have any vacuum leaks around it, they are kinda famous for warping. They are a good carburetor, I like them.
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Old 12-20-2012, 01:36 PM   #6
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Default Re: Newbie question about Tillotson carb

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Hi Wilbur, I've been running a Tillotson carb for years on my 2 A's.
Like others have said, the GAV will vary from carb to carb. When warm, I leave mine at 1/8 to 1/4 open. To start one car I have to open it 3/4 to start.
If you take it apart this weekend, remove the gasket and hold the 2 halves together up to sunlite to check for flatness, the critical area is behind the venturi where the 3 holes are. The lower half can be dressup up with fine sand paper on a piece of glass. The upper half is another story.
Make sure those 3 holes are clear in both halves, the center carries gas/air, the other 2 just air. Make sure the 2 small holes in the venturi near where the throttle plate seats are clear, one is 020 the other slightly larger, be careful when cleaning don't enlarge them.
Clean the fuel bowl, make sure the main jet in the center is open, using compressed air, don't remove it if its stuck.
Set your float to 1" with the upper half turned up side down. If it leaks gas, try adding 1/16" to lower the fuel level.
Also check the mounting flange for flatness dress if needed.
Good luck and have fun.
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Old 12-21-2012, 07:42 AM   #7
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Default Re: Newbie question about Tillotson carb

Thanks for all the tips. I'll tear into it tonight.
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Old 12-21-2012, 09:22 AM   #8
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Talking Re: Newbie question about Tillotson carb

Quote:
Originally Posted by BILL WILLIAMSON View Post
Yo, Wilbur,
NOT tryin' to sound smart, but that's just how he told ME!! Bill W.
Heaven forbid that any of us would even THINK you sound smart!
Have a Merry Christmas!

Ed
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Old 12-21-2012, 02:44 PM   #9
BILL WILLIAMSON
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Default Re: Newbie question about Tillotson carb

Quote:
Originally Posted by green30coupe View Post
Heaven forbid that any of us would even THINK you sound smart!
Have a Merry Christmas!

Ed
Ed,
I should have said, "Smart A**ed" for sure I didn't mean "BRILLIANT"! Bill W.
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Old 12-21-2012, 03:38 PM   #10
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Default Re: Newbie question about Tillotson carb

Just pulled the carb apart and have it soaking now. That little baby was some dirty inside! It's hard to believe that she ran at all. Now, the jet in the bottom of the bowl will not come out. I tried heating it with an LP torch, but still no luck... so, I'm gonna leave it alone as suggested. Once it's out of the brew, I'll check both castings for flatness. The gasket looked to have good contact all around. Thanks all.
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Old 12-21-2012, 03:39 PM   #11
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Default Re: Newbie question about Tillotson carb

One more thing... explain the term GAV.
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Old 12-21-2012, 04:28 PM   #12
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Default Re: Newbie question about Tillotson carb

OK, the upper casting is badly warped. I had seen somethinh about putting it in an oven for a while... HELP.
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Old 12-21-2012, 04:29 PM   #13
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Default Re: Newbie question about Tillotson carb

Gas Adjustment Valve. The carb part that is connected to the choke / fuel adjustment rod that goes into the car.
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Old 12-21-2012, 09:48 PM   #14
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Default Re: Newbie question about Tillotson carb

Wilbur this site is a great source for information for Tillys.

https://sites.google.com/site/mrtexa...ly-carburetors

Here is a quote from the site "I sand the top of the upper casting and top of the lower casting on a stationary belt sander to flatten them. The upper casting top is often warped when the mounting bolts are over-tightened. This is better than the Zenith which breaks off the ears! if you don't flatten a warped top, it makes quite a squealing noise when you start er up."

Hope this helps.
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Old 12-21-2012, 09:54 PM   #15
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Default Re: Newbie question about Tillotson carb

Wilbur,

Be careful when heating any die casting! The Tilly is die cast zinc and it melts around 700 degrees F or so. I would not recommend heating with any torch. Heating in the oven may cause more warping too. Be careful, can't get those die castings anymore that I am aware of.

Chris
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Old 12-21-2012, 10:45 PM   #16
Wilbur
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Default Re: Newbie question about Tillotson carb

I put it in the toaster oven, at 350 for 2 hours, with a steel plate over the mounting flange and 3 hose clamps pulling it together. While it baked, i pulled out the distributor, installed new points and condenser, and set the timing as per Les Andrews video on You-Tube. The carb turned out greatly improved. I put it all back together and took a little ride. She runs BEAUTIFUL. If i knew how to post a picture here, i would show a shot of the Tilly in bondage.
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Old 12-22-2012, 12:56 AM   #17
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Default Re: Newbie question about Tillotson carb

Wilbur,
To check or even out warped stuff, I use valve lapping compound on a piece of old plate glass. The cans of compound usually have FINE in the top of the can & COARSE in the bottom. Leave the used compound on the glass & later squirt a little oil on it to use it again.
Top flange warpage is usually caused by using the thick copper gasket, as it "squishes" down unevenly when tightened. I use a paper thin gasket with a light smear of RTV or whatever you have. Tilly sounds like a name for a cute READHEAD or a SPECIAL Model A! Bill W. (I call mine, A Tilly in WORK CLOTHES!)
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