Indented Firewall - After market carb, fuel valve, bowl
 

Hello all,

I am a brand new Model A owner as of this past week. I picked up a '31 slant window Town Sedan 160B. I have been an MG guy for years, but I needed a family car, so I sold my '60 MGA to buy this. :)

I have been doing a lot of research through the forums to learn a lot. I have picked up the Les Andrews book, and I hope to be able to continue to learn going forward.

My question, however, is about this carb that is on my car. It looks like it is some type of aftermarket carb. A sediment bowl was also installed on the car, but the fuel shutoff valve was removed. All that is left is a screw shutoff on the backside of the bowl.

I have a leak in the carb itself. I plan on taking it apart and cleaning it out, and I think that may take care of my leak. However, I also think that the bowl shutoff screw is allowing a slow drip of fuel through. Even after emptying out the carb, I still have a continuous drop coming out of it (with the drain plug removed) after all of the fuel should be gone. The flow is about one drop a second.

My plan is to install an original shutoff valve and install a kit like this from Mike's:
http://www.mikes-afordable.com/product/A9155L.html

The main question I have is this: Does anyone know what kind of carb this is?

Secondly, does the above approach to my situation seem sound?

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5469/...b4011d57f9.jpg

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5342/...8d5e1387a1.jpg

Oh, and here's the new beauty :)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7776/...3807a4681a.jpg

Thank you so much!
-Blake

Re: Indented Firewall - After market carb, fuel valve, bowl
 

If you want reliable then get an original side bowl carb with the original jets and original screens.

The original system was designed to handle junk in the fuel and easy to maintain. Original jets set up right will let the car run like original.

Setting the flow rate: flow rates

If you do it right you grand children will be still using it virtually untouched from the day you built it.

Re: Indented Firewall - After market carb, fuel valve, bowl
 

This is what it should look like.

Bob

Re: Indented Firewall - After market carb, fuel valve, bowl
 

Hi Blake

Welcome to the Barn.
For more information on the carb you have see the following link:
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=139836

Jeff

Re: Indented Firewall - After market carb, fuel valve, bowl
 

Bob, that's a nice looking engine. The head outlet almost looks like the shorter 28-9 style, but without seeing the hose and radiator, I can't tell for sure. The engine outlet and radiator inlet should be in a straight line.

Blake, I agree with Kevin that I'd use original parts. Also a steel fuel line is better than a copper, which can work harden and crack.

Re: Indented Firewall - After market carb, fuel valve, bowl
 

Blake, that set up from Mike's will work. You can certainly use the carburetor that you have. The object is to try and filter as much junk that may be in the tank after 80 years before it gets to the carburetor. As mentioned, it is not the proper/ original 31 set up, but it would be better than the set up you presently have. If it runs well with that carburetor on it, then I would put another on a wish list, but not a must list.

You need to identify where the gas leak is from. Gas inlet fitting, the carb throat, or the seam where the two halves come together. Those carbs can warp and then it makes it very difficult to seal them up at the seam of the top half and bottom half. If it is leaking from the choke throat, then it can be the fuel level, or the float valve inside the fuel bowl.

Re: Indented Firewall - After market carb, fuel valve, bowl
 

The Kit you plan to use is not correct for your late 31 indented fire wall if your want it to be original.

Ron

Re: Indented Firewall - After market carb, fuel valve, bowl
 

Welcome to the Fordbarn! I agree with the idea of optimizing what you already have and, if you desire, begin the search for original parts. That way, you can enjoy the car in the meantime.
I have a well-sorted out Tillitson carb on my 1931 coupe, and while not original, it does not get in the way of me enjoying my car.

Re: Indented Firewall - After market carb, fuel valve, bowl
 

Others have already pointed you in the right direction but just will add a couple of things. The carb you have is a Marvel\Schebler aftermarket carb. Sold by Sears, Western Auto and others. When working properly they are a good carb. Limited rebuild parts are available for this carb so unless you have extras for parts they are limited in what you can do. The Pic from Bob shows you where the gas valve was moved to in the late 31 models. This was mandated to Ford by the Government for safety. The sediment bowl attaches to the side of the carb hence the name "Side Bowl". They are more expensive to replace than a standard Zenith but with a car that nice I think it would be worth it. Copper gas lines in a car like this are not a good idea. That is why Ford used steel lines. By the way I also have a late 31 car with the side bowl carb.

Re: Indented Firewall - After market carb, fuel valve, bowl
 

The carb seems to be leaking from the choke throat which to me seemed like it would be float valve or fuel level as 31Tudor mentioned, but I will get in and see what I can determine. That is some great info that Jeff linked to. I did not know the name of the carb or what to search on, so all of that is great info.

I would like to be original, and perhaps I will get there one of these days. I have read elsewhere that the proper carb for a '31 like mine is hard to come by. I will put it on the wish list, but in the meantime, I will get the proper valve installed and go with the kit at Mike's (along with fixing this leak issue). I think with Mike's setup, that will also get me away from copper. Great feedback on that as well.

In fact, this is all great feedback. Hope to make some headway on it over the next few weeks!

Thanks, guys!
-Blake

Re: Indented Firewall - After market carb, fuel valve, bowl
 

Blake,

I sent you a private message today; also gave you my e-mail address so you can contact me direct. The message should appear in upper right why you log in.

Ron

Re: Indented Firewall - After market carb, fuel valve, bowl
 

Bert's in Denver is a life (time) saver when it comes to original parts.

Best of luck with the car. Drive it far and drive it often.

Re: Indented Firewall - After market carb, fuel valve, bowl
 

here is one for sale by a reputable member.
http://fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=159655

Re: Indented Firewall - After market carb, fuel valve, bowl
 

After doing more reading through the forums about the Marvel carb, I think I will probably stick with this one for a while. I just need to get the the leak stopped around the GAV. I ordered a seal kit for the GAV assembly from Renners here: http://www.rennerscorner.com/carburetor.html I also lowered the float a little temporarily to get the gas level below the GAV throat. This has helped slow the leak down, so I think I am on the right track. I went ahead and got a basic gasket kit for the Marvel as well.

I am also going to be reverting to the original style shut off valve and going back with steel lines instead of copper. I will be doing the glass sediment bowl from Mike's (the one I linked to before) as well as a mesh filter to go into the gas tank.

While the Marvel is not considered original to the car, based on what I have read, Marvel users really seem to like them. I may one day go back to an original Zenith, but for now, I will stick with the Marvel.

Thanks for helping identify this for me. That sent me off on the path I needed.

-Blake

Re: Indented Firewall - After market carb, fuel valve, bowl
 

Leaking Marvel fixed. Ordered a GAV assembly seal kit from Renner's. Installed tonight and leak is gone. Heck, there wasn't even a seal down in there when I took the GAV throat out. Just the spring.

So, that's that. Waiting on some other parts to replace the line and valve.

Blake