The Ford Barn

Art Newland · 04-04-2016, 11:05 AM

Had a friend of a friend look at my car, he noticed the tillotson carb and asked if I would like an original Zenith that he didn't need. I could have it for no charge if I wanted it.

I told him SURE! He dropped it off when I wasn't home, I guess I was expecting a little nicer condition... it was free... and it was nice of him to give it to me... but it is in pretty rough condition

. Think it's salvageable?

CarlG · 04-04-2016, 11:10 AM

He had it buried in the back yard for safe keeping?

P.S. · 04-04-2016, 11:13 AM

Use it as a core for a rebuilt Zenith from one of the Model A parts dealers.

C26Pinelake · 04-04-2016, 11:19 AM

Let's just say it wouldn't sell at a flea market or a swap meet ? Wayne.

Mitch//pa · 04-04-2016, 11:20 AM

It wouldn't hurt to submerge it in evapo rust .....I bet it's rebuildable

Barber31 · 04-04-2016, 11:28 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Evaporust or media blasting will prably make a big difference.

Art Newland · 04-04-2016, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarlG

He had it buried in the back yard for safe keeping?

Looks like a metal detector find for sure!

Never heard of evapo-rust before, I'll see if I can find some.

I have a buddy with a media blaster... hmmm...

Mitch//pa · 04-04-2016, 02:22 PM

I would soak it before media blasting it... It will disassemble easier without breaking everything incld the housings

ronn · 04-04-2016, 04:29 PM

Anchor baby!

Big hammer · 04-04-2016, 05:42 PM

Do as Mitch said, it may not look like bran new, but can be used for many years to come!!

Art Newland · 04-04-2016, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big hammer

Do as Mitch said, it may not look like bran new, but can be used for many years to come!!

None of the rest of the car looks brand new either, so it should be a perfect fit.

It will be interesting to see what's inside it, hopefully not as much dirt!

TinCup · 04-04-2016, 05:58 PM

Really depends on if the guts are all there. Break it down and rebuild it. If you don't want it I will pay for shipping and you can send it to me

Art Newland · 04-04-2016, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TinCup

Really depends on if the guts are all there. Break it down and rebuild it. If you don't want it I will pay for shipping and you can send it to me

Thanks for your offer TinCup, someone else wanting it tells me that maybe there is hope for it after all.

Mitch//pa · 04-04-2016, 06:21 PM

I bet there is a 1930's mouse skeleton inside

Art Newland · 04-04-2016, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by forever4

I would electrolytically derust it first, before anything else. Fast and simple and effective. I've done dozens of Zeniths that looked like that.

That looks interesting, I've got to give that a try.

tbirdtbird · 04-04-2016, 07:44 PM

too much work unless it is the last zenith on the planet.
you'll never get the venturi out

Tillys are good carbs, stay with it

In hot summery Texas that is all we run to avoid vapor lock

Art Newland · 04-04-2016, 08:41 PM

The tillotson that's on it was purchased new by the previous owner. A reproduction I assume? Said it was over $350!

I seem to be chasing a smooth idle, I adjust the idle mixture and it's good, drive it for a while and it idles rough again. I am currently working at getting rust out of the fuel tank, so I suppose it's possible that there is some crud in the carb. I've read of the issues with tillotson's warping and causing vacuum leaks, that doesn't appear to be the problem with mine. I figured once I'm satisfied with the tank cleansing, I would install one of the filters that sets on top of the shut-off valve, then I'll take the carb apart and give it a good cleaning as well.

modelAtony · 04-04-2016, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Art Newland

Had a friend of a friend look at my car, he noticed the tillotson carb and asked if I would like an original Zenith that he didn't need. I could have it for no charge if I wanted it.

I told him SURE! He dropped it off when I wasn't home, I guess I was expecting a little nicer condition... it was free... and it was nice of him to give it to me... but it is in pretty rough condition

. Think it's salvageable?

I think I would ... TAKE A SKIP. Life is to short to mess with this. Now the hard core A guys will burn me for this , but life is to short. I find I spend 2-3 times more money trying to work with orig. and it ends up not worth it. modelAtony tony white Lafayette, LA

H. L. Chauvin · 04-04-2016, 09:45 PM

You asked, "Think it's salvageable?"

If enough people said, "No," many would consider fixing it a challenge; and, if enough people said, "Yes, " many would junk it.

All up to you ...... no matter what ..... being happy with your decision today and also a year from now is what really counts.

Art Newland · 04-04-2016, 11:16 PM

Currently I'm in two camps...
#1 give it to someone that knows what they are doing so I don't screw it up, and it gets back on the road. #2 Stick it on the shelf of future projects, and give it a try when I'm in the mood. I'm pretty good with mechanical things, but nothing beats "been there done that".

04-04-2016, 11:13 AM	#3
P.S. Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Hazzard County Posts: 1,922	Re: Mission Impossible?? Use it as a core for a rebuilt Zenith from one of the Model A parts dealers.

04-04-2016, 11:19 AM	#4
C26Pinelake BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Michigan / Ontario border, Sarnia, Ontario. 50 miles from Detroit and 150 from Toronto. Posts: 5,800	Re: Mission Impossible?? Let's just say it wouldn't sell at a flea market or a swap meet ? Wayne.

04-04-2016, 11:20 AM	#5
Mitch//pa BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks County, PA Posts: 11,454	Re: Mission Impossible?? It wouldn't hurt to submerge it in evapo rust .....I bet it's rebuildable Last edited by Mitch//pa; 04-04-2016 at 11:38 AM.

04-04-2016, 11:28 AM	#6
Barber31 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 687	Re: Mission Impossible?? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Evaporust or media blasting will prably make a big difference.

04-04-2016, 02:22 PM	#8
Mitch//pa BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks County, PA Posts: 11,454	Re: Mission Impossible?? I would soak it before media blasting it... It will disassemble easier without breaking everything incld the housings

04-04-2016, 11:10 AM	#2
CarlG Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 9,192	Re: Mission Impossible?? He had it buried in the back yard for safe keeping? __________________ Alaskan A's Antique Auto Mushers of Alaska Model A Ford Club of America Model A Restorers Club Antique Automobile Club of America Mullins Owner's Club

04-04-2016, 04:29 PM	#9
ronn Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: NNNNNNNNJJJJJJJJJJ Posts: 7,650	Re: Mission Impossible?? Anchor baby!

04-04-2016, 05:42 PM	#10
Big hammer Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Land of Lincoln Posts: 3,431	Re: Mission Impossible?? Do as Mitch said, it may not look like bran new, but can be used for many years to come!!

04-04-2016, 05:58 PM	#12
TinCup Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: OKC / Tonkawa, Ok. Posts: 1,977	Re: Mission Impossible?? Really depends on if the guts are all there. Break it down and rebuild it. If you don't want it I will pay for shipping and you can send it to me __________________ Oklahoma City Model A Restorers Group.

04-04-2016, 06:21 PM	#14
Mitch//pa BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks County, PA Posts: 11,454	Re: Mission Impossible?? I bet there is a 1930's mouse skeleton inside

04-04-2016, 07:44 PM	#16
tbirdtbird BANNED Join Date: May 2012 Location: inside your RAM Posts: 3,134	Re: Mission Impossible?? too much work unless it is the last zenith on the planet. you'll never get the venturi out Tillys are good carbs, stay with it In hot summery Texas that is all we run to avoid vapor lock __________________ '31 180A

04-04-2016, 08:41 PM	#17
Art Newland Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Lynden, WA Posts: 1,564	Re: Mission Impossible?? The tillotson that's on it was purchased new by the previous owner. A reproduction I assume? Said it was over $350! I seem to be chasing a smooth idle, I adjust the idle mixture and it's good, drive it for a while and it idles rough again. I am currently working at getting rust out of the fuel tank, so I suppose it's possible that there is some crud in the carb. I've read of the issues with tillotson's warping and causing vacuum leaks, that doesn't appear to be the problem with mine. I figured once I'm satisfied with the tank cleansing, I would install one of the filters that sets on top of the shut-off valve, then I'll take the carb apart and give it a good cleaning as well.

04-04-2016, 09:45 PM	#19
H. L. Chauvin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 4,179	Re: Mission Impossible?? You asked, "Think it's salvageable?" If enough people said, "No," many would consider fixing it a challenge; and, if enough people said, "Yes, " many would junk it. All up to you ...... no matter what ..... being happy with your decision today and also a year from now is what really counts.

04-04-2016, 11:16 PM	#20
Art Newland Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Lynden, WA Posts: 1,564	Re: Mission Impossible?? Currently I'm in two camps... #1 give it to someone that knows what they are doing so I don't screw it up, and it gets back on the road. #2 Stick it on the shelf of future projects, and give it a try when I'm in the mood. I'm pretty good with mechanical things, but nothing beats "been there done that".