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Old 01-12-2021, 06:53 PM   #1
30blindback
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Default Marvel Carburetor

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]
Attached Images
File Type: jpg marvel carb (1).jpg (58.1 KB, 130 views)
File Type: jpg marvel carb (2).jpg (46.9 KB, 101 views)
File Type: jpg marvel carb (3).jpg (49.5 KB, 95 views)
File Type: jpg marvel carb (4).jpg (49.9 KB, 97 views)
File Type: jpg marvel carb (5).jpg (51.8 KB, 84 views)
File Type: jpg marvel carb (6).jpg (47.5 KB, 88 views)
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Old 01-12-2021, 07:32 PM   #2
mcgarrett
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Default 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?
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Old 01-12-2021, 09:52 PM   #3
01A
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Default 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
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Old 01-13-2021, 06:49 AM   #4
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Default 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.
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Old 01-13-2021, 11:38 AM   #5
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Default Re: Marvel Carburetor

I have a Tillotson and am having problems with it leaking. Runs OK though.
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Old 01-13-2021, 11:44 AM   #6
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Default Re: Marvel Carburetor

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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.
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Old 01-13-2021, 01:42 PM   #7
Herb Concord Ca
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Default 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.
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Old 01-13-2021, 02:02 PM   #8
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Default Re: Marvel Carburetor

Quote:
Originally Posted by 30blindback View Post
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?
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Old 01-17-2021, 08:07 AM   #9
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Default Re: Marvel Carburetor

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Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead View Post
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
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Old 01-17-2021, 12:27 PM   #10
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Default Re: Marvel Carburetor

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Originally Posted by dmaxweb View Post
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...

Last edited by Y-Blockhead; 01-17-2021 at 02:35 PM.
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Old 01-17-2021, 12:53 PM   #11
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Default Re: Marvel Carburetor

You upped the flow of the carburetor some with a different delivery system, the Marvel is an emulsion tube carburetor, a design that became popular the mid 30's. The Stromberg 97 uses the same design. The Marvel flows at about 80 CFM (cubic feet per minute) or so. The A engine in stock form flows at 160 CFM. CFM with a carburetor is the amount of air/fuel mixture it can flow at full throttle, CFM with an engine is the amount of air it will flow at peak rpm.. basically the A @2200 flows 160 CFM plus or minus. To achieve maximum efficiency from an engine matching CFM carb and CFM engine is needed.. With a model A/B ford four cylinder you're in luck, the Stromberg 97/Holley 94 used in over 30 years of flathead V8 engine production flows from 160 to 175 CFM depending on model.
As I built my engine I put my performance parts on one at a time, to feel the gain made by the component. Just putting the Stromberg alone on a stock engine really opened up the power in all throttle positions and increased economy some.. although it flows more mixture, it also raises efficiency due to lgiving the engine what it needs
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Old 01-17-2021, 07:36 PM   #12
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Default Re: Marvel Carburetor

Hi Neds29:




What I have found is one reason they leak is because the metal is thinner and it warps a lot easier.
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Old 01-18-2021, 12:45 AM   #13
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Default Re: Marvel Carburetor

Quote:
Originally Posted by henry's 31 View Post
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.


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Old 04-02-2021, 09:22 PM   #14
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Default Re: Marvel Carburetor

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Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead View Post
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?
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Old 04-03-2021, 12:30 AM   #15
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Default Re: Marvel Carburetor

I have a Marvel that weeps a little. I think I will try a cork gasket also.
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Old 04-03-2021, 06:49 AM   #16
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Default Re: Marvel Carburetor

When Borg-Warner formed in 1928, Marvel-Schebler/Tillotson became a division of B-W along with a lot of other companies to form a manufacturing conglomerate for automotive and aircraft systems equipment. Due to this, Tillotson and Marvel Schebler all came from the same corporation.

Tillotson carbs generally have zinc die castings so they can be warped pretty easily but they work well enough when in good condition.
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Old 04-03-2021, 07:22 AM   #17
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Default Re: Marvel Carburetor

When did Marvel start making Model A carbs? I know M-S were making carbs in the '20s, and I know that at some point in the late '30s or early '40s they became a popular replacement carb. But what was the first year you could have bought a Marvel carb for your Model A?
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Old 04-03-2021, 09:14 AM   #18
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Default Re: Marvel Carburetor

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Originally Posted by dmaxweb View Post
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.
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Old 04-03-2021, 09:18 AM   #19
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Default Re: Marvel Carburetor

Marvel for me
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Old 04-03-2021, 09:59 AM   #20
Y-Blockhead
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Default Re: Marvel Carburetor

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Originally Posted by alexiskai View Post
When did Marvel start making Model A carbs? I know M-S were making carbs in the '20s, and I know that at some point in the late '30s or early '40s they became a popular replacement carb. But what was the first year you could have bought a Marvel carb for your Model A?
According to Dave Renner (rennerscorner.com) Marvel Schebler carburetors were replacement carbs when Zenith stopped selling carbs to Ford and dealers started using them for replacements for Model A and B Zeniths.

They were also sold at Sears (under the Allstate brand). Also sold under the Johnson brand.

I have no info on when they could first be bought for the Model A.

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