The Ford Barn

bartmcneill · 07-15-2025, 06:07 PM

My 31 has a Tollitson carb on it but slowly drips. I took it apart and reworked as best I could before installation as it had been rebuilt years ago and never used. Also my indented cowl gas shut off has a slow leak. It seemed to resist removal and I was afraid it might break. Is there a way to stop the Tollitson leak? If I buy a Zenith how can I be sure it wont leak? I had one in another car that leaked. Where is the best place to buy a Zenith? Ebay has them but really high priced. So far Ive had a 30 tudor sedan, a 30 Cabriolet, a 30 Coupe, a 30 pickup, another 30 coupe and now a 31 coupe. Only 2 leaked like this.

Gary WA · 07-15-2025, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bartmcneill

My 31 has a Tollitson carb on it but slowly drips. I took it apart and reworked as best I could before installation as it had been rebuilt years ago and never used. Also my indented cowl gas shut off has a slow leak. It seemed to resist removal and I was afraid it might break. Is there a way to stop the Tollitson leak? If I buy a Zenith how can I be sure it wont leak? I had one in another car that leaked. Where is the best place to buy a Zenith? Ebay has them but really high priced. So far Ive had a 30 tudor sedan, a 30 Cabriolet, a 30 Coupe, a 30 pickup, another 30 coupe and now a 31 coupe. Only 2 leaked like this.

Berts in denver may have some good non leaking zeniths!Bert's Model A Center | Call: 303-293-FORD

Canton_Model_A's · 07-15-2025, 06:59 PM

You can also check with Dave Renner here in Michigan. He might be able to help you with a replacement Zenith.

Big hammer · 07-15-2025, 07:09 PM

If you have a crows foot of the proper size an extension to clear the firewall and 18 in breaker bar should work for removing the valve. I’ve used an under sink, plumbing wrench with a cheater bar. That valve is rebuildable ! the taper can be lapped for a leak less valve, before reinstalling clean the trough out in the tank outlet. You maybe can rebuild the valve without removing it.

nkaminar · 07-16-2025, 03:53 AM

If you can take the valve apart in situ then you can use EZ Turn to stop it from leaking, see link below. If you use the valve every time you use the car and drive your car frequently, then you have to add more EZ Turn every 6 months or so.

https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catal...?clickkey=5414

mercman from oz · 07-16-2025, 04:04 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Bert's Model A Centre selection of Carburettors

Y-Blockhead · 07-16-2025, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mercman from oz

Bert's Model A Centre selection of Carburettors

Hey Gary W, Bert's has a Zenith carburetor collection just like yours...

Benson · 07-16-2025, 10:05 AM

erased ... off topic

Ed in Maine · 07-16-2025, 03:09 PM

Hello Bart, you must fix the shut off valve on the firewall. The EZ Turn suggestion looks good to me. The shut off valve was installed by Ford to provide a positive shutoff in the event of a leak downstream. I use mine on every shut down especially in public areas. A fellow club member went to the supermarket, had a leak in the parking lot, the police were called, an emergency was declared, the area was closed off and evacuated and the car was towed away and impounded. It was a mess. Not a big deal for a Model A owner but to the public and the police it was a disaster in the making! That valve has to be tight. The valve in the carburetor is prone to leakage because of dirt and rust in the gas tank. Ed

nkaminar · 07-16-2025, 07:12 PM

I have a huge advantage. I have a Weber downdraft carburetor that requires a fuel pump. The fuel pump will not pass any gasoline when off. It like having an automatic shut off valve. To keep the gasoline from forming a sludge in my carburetor, I still have to turn off the fuel valve under the tank and run the carburetor dry when I am going to be away for a month or more.

stevemclark · 07-16-2025, 07:36 PM

On your carburetor lightly dress the gasket surfaces with a flat bastard file until they clean up they can warp. Here is a new gasket set ,Mikes has rebuild kits too. You could get an electric shut off ,hooks to your non pop out ignition switch. .https://www.mikes-afordable.com/product/A9502T.html....https://www.mikes-afordable.com/product/A9189.html

07-15-2025, 06:07 PM	#1
bartmcneill Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ada, OK Posts: 578	Leaky Carb My 31 has a Tollitson carb on it but slowly drips. I took it apart and reworked as best I could before installation as it had been rebuilt years ago and never used. Also my indented cowl gas shut off has a slow leak. It seemed to resist removal and I was afraid it might break. Is there a way to stop the Tollitson leak? If I buy a Zenith how can I be sure it wont leak? I had one in another car that leaked. Where is the best place to buy a Zenith? Ebay has them but really high priced. So far Ive had a 30 tudor sedan, a 30 Cabriolet, a 30 Coupe, a 30 pickup, another 30 coupe and now a 31 coupe. Only 2 leaked like this.

07-15-2025, 06:59 PM	#3
Canton_Model_A's Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2022 Location: Canton, Michigan Posts: 321	Re: Leaky Carb You can also check with Dave Renner here in Michigan. He might be able to help you with a replacement Zenith. __________________ --------------------------------------- 1929 Model A Tudor - "Darla" '29 Model A: Old enough to start with a crank, young enough to steal the show! "Stay away from negative people, they have a problem for every solution" Model A Ford Club of America Model A Restorers Club Motor City A's Club

07-15-2025, 07:09 PM	#4
Big hammer Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Land of Lincoln Posts: 3,430	Re: Leaky Carb If you have a crows foot of the proper size an extension to clear the firewall and 18 in breaker bar should work for removing the valve. I’ve used an under sink, plumbing wrench with a cheater bar. That valve is rebuildable ! the taper can be lapped for a leak less valve, before reinstalling clean the trough out in the tank outlet. You maybe can rebuild the valve without removing it. __________________ Don't force it with a little hammer tap, tap, tap get a bigger hammer tap done

07-16-2025, 03:53 AM	#5
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 5,860	Re: Leaky Carb If you can take the valve apart in situ then you can use EZ Turn to stop it from leaking, see link below. If you use the valve every time you use the car and drive your car frequently, then you have to add more EZ Turn every 6 months or so. https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catal...?clickkey=5414 __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

07-16-2025, 04:04 AM	#6
mercman from oz Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Queensland, Australia Posts: 12,009	Re: Leaky Carb Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Bert's Model A Centre selection of Carburettors

07-16-2025, 10:05 AM	#8
Benson Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Cen~Col - Central Highlands Posts: 2,757	Re: Leaky Carb erased ... off topic Last edited by Benson; 07-16-2025 at 10:14 AM.

07-16-2025, 03:09 PM	#9
Ed in Maine Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cty., ME or Flagler Cty., FL Posts: 1,193	Re: Leaky Carb Hello Bart, you must fix the shut off valve on the firewall. The EZ Turn suggestion looks good to me. The shut off valve was installed by Ford to provide a positive shutoff in the event of a leak downstream. I use mine on every shut down especially in public areas. A fellow club member went to the supermarket, had a leak in the parking lot, the police were called, an emergency was declared, the area was closed off and evacuated and the car was towed away and impounded. It was a mess. Not a big deal for a Model A owner but to the public and the police it was a disaster in the making! That valve has to be tight. The valve in the carburetor is prone to leakage because of dirt and rust in the gas tank. Ed

07-16-2025, 07:12 PM	#10
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 5,860	Re: Leaky Carb I have a huge advantage. I have a Weber downdraft carburetor that requires a fuel pump. The fuel pump will not pass any gasoline when off. It like having an automatic shut off valve. To keep the gasoline from forming a sludge in my carburetor, I still have to turn off the fuel valve under the tank and run the carburetor dry when I am going to be away for a month or more. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

07-16-2025, 07:36 PM	#11
stevemclark Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Central Shenandoah Valley,Waynesboro,Va. Posts: 143	Re: Leaky Carb On your carburetor lightly dress the gasket surfaces with a flat bastard file until they clean up they can warp. Here is a new gasket set ,Mikes has rebuild kits too. You could get an electric shut off ,hooks to your non pop out ignition switch. .https://www.mikes-afordable.com/product/A9502T.html....https://www.mikes-afordable.com/product/A9189.html __________________ It's not the destination ,it's the journey . Last edited by stevemclark; 07-16-2025 at 07:50 PM.