What is the best carburetor for the Model A

[Bill in SoCal]

I have always had a Zenith carburetor on my 30 coupe. I know there were several other makers like Tillotson, Schebler, Simmons and others. Has there been any testing to see which performs the best? I know the term ‘best’ is subjective. What experiences have any of you had with the non-Zenith carburetors? Bill

[Jon-Ohio]

For a driver where authenticity isn't critical - I get the best performance from the Marvel Schebler carb . I like it better than the original Zenith or Tilly.

Jon in Ohio

[jkeesey]

A downdraft gets you much better acceleration but your fuel mileage goes down the crapper.

[modelAtony]

Originally Posted by Bill in SoCal

I have always had a Zenith carburetor on my 30 coupe. I know there were several other makers like Tillotson, Schebler, Simmons and others. Has there been any testing to see which performs the best? I know the term ‘best’ is subjective. What experiences have any of you had with the non-Zenith carburetors? Bill

I 've had 3 model A's and every one ran better with the tilly. I always noticed from the first 200 ft they always have more uuuummmmphhh to get up and move. They are also easy to work on and clean. Only my info. have fun modelAtony tony white Lafayette, LA

[al's28/33]

I run a Holley double venturi on my mid year '28 since 2007 without any adjustments yet. Only had one issue when I first attached the micro-screen gas filter it plugged up. Removed the attachment and never any issues since.

[CarlG]

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[inex01]

I run Tillotson on both of my cars and they both run very well. Have run Zeniths in the past and last year I did a direct swap experiment "Taking Tillotson off & installing Zenith" there was a very noticeable difference, poor performance with the Zenith. Besides that both carburetors worked but again the Tillotson just seems to provide a better operating motor from idle to cruising.

[Clydes 31 P/U]

I'm with Jon-Ohio......I like my Marvels

[Jwilli]

My 30 Murray fordor has a tilly, I have 2 Zeniths and 1 Marvel for backup. The tilly is working so good, that I am not going to change unless it develops a problem.

[2manycars]

The early 28 has a double venturi zenith to be correct, but the tudor has a model B zenith, which I find makes more power, and does not falter at sudden stops.

[Bob Bidonde]

Ditto the down draft carburetor for superior breathing.

[fordcoupe]

My choice from trying three different carb's on my coupe orig. Tillotson X the best, Marvel ran good, Zenith ran good

[rocket1]

I run a B carb,runs good.

[Patrick L.]

I only have experience with 3. Zenith, Tilly and Marvel. The Marvel and Tillotsons run best. The Zenith doesn't have warpage issues.

[Kevin in NJ]

With a normal compression engine or slighty higher compression you best bet overall is the original carb.

You really need to ask what is in your engine before you care what you have for a carb. If you have a worn used cam, loose dist. and an unbalanced crank. It really does not matter much.

Assuming you have a good engine. The original carb with original jets proper flow tested to Ford numbers (see Vince Falters website) and column height. You have the most robust trouble free solution that will run the car 60+ MPH and get 20+ MPG. The cast iron carb seems to rarely have dirt problems if you have the original screens in place and it does not seem to get upset with dirt. If you are having dirt problems, like when you first start sorting a new to you car, it is only one bolt to drop the bottom to clean and adjust.

The others work well when properly set up, but they are not as robust. A bunch of screws and a pot metal housing that warps eventually, or so it seems. Often I see the tillys leaking one place or another. They also get unhappy real quick with dirt. The original A systems were designed to eat dirt and keep running for thousands of miles.

Again, from a performance point of view that is highly variable as so many engines are not put together as well as they need to be to run like they should. Too often there is a used cam and improperly adjusted valves that will have a larger effect on the fuel mixture needs of the engine.

Now, if you are talking an engine with larger valves, higher compression and proper set up you have a whole other story. You have to calculate which carb setup will flow the proper amount of air to get the proper mixtures.

Personally, I like a car that is simple and never needs to be touched and can out run more modern cars, a factory built A.

[JohnLaVoy]

You don't say what kind of driving you plan on doing. If not showing run a Weber down draft.

[Mike V. Florida]

Originally Posted by Bill in SoCal

I have always had a Zenith carburetor on my 30 coupe. I know there were several other makers like Tillotson, Schebler, Simmons and others. Has there been any testing to see which performs the best? I know the term ‘best’ is subjective. What experiences have any of you had with the non-Zenith carburetors? Bill

The best one is the properly restored one!

[Walt Dupont--Me.]

I run a 1950 Chevy 216 six cyl Rodchester single barrel on my B engine in my 31 coupe. Use a B intake and bore a hole in the top and weld on a plate for the barb. Runs super, good mileage, I tried a 235 Chevy carb and the 216 is more chrispy Walt

[Skeezixx]

Zenith 13922 designed for forklifts and tractors it bolts right up to As with no modifications except changing the fitting on gas line. Trouble free, built to handle ethanol and no more fiddling with the GAV valve. Looks goofy, works great!

[Rowdy]

That is an open question. What may be best for me might not be best for you. I like the ability to get the hell out of the way, so will be running a downdraft LZ 97 along with some internal changes to the engine. So if you are running an updraft I would go with a Tillotson or a well rebuilt original Zenith. Not all rebuilds of the originals are equal. Rod