The Ford Barn

mcgarrett · 02-22-2023, 05:15 PM

I have a nice pair of Zenith side bowl carbs for the late '31 Slant Windshield cars with indented firewalls. I'd like to make sure the lower carb bodies (float bowls) are the correct ones for that vintage Model A. What casting numbers, foundry stampings, or other identifying markings should I be looking for to make sure they are correct for the side bowl application? One of them has "Zenith 2" cast into the side of the bowl.

Oldbluoval · 02-22-2023, 05:30 PM

Most parts on those except Zenith 3 which is a side bowl into itself are interchangeable. But there were a few manufacturers even if it says Zenith. I think 3 was made by ford???
It has such cast into the lower bowl. Perhaps someone who builds/knows fine point can be more informative than me!

mcgarrett · 02-22-2023, 05:43 PM

Thanks for your reply. I would like to hear from someone knowledgeable in those carburetors. I'm planning to put them up for sale and want them to be as correct as possible for the next owners. I also noticed that the choke lever is a brass casting and choke driver on one of the carbs is made of brass unlike the usual steel parts. I also wonder if those items are correct for the side bowl units?

Bill Cilker · 02-22-2023, 07:21 PM

The MARC/MAFCA Restoration guidelines and judging standards book (2016 revision) has the information you want to know. Also there has been articles in the Restorer on the subject.

mcgarrett · 02-22-2023, 08:00 PM

Bill,
Are these judging guidelines available online?
Thanks for your reply!

Steve Schmauch · 02-22-2023, 08:18 PM

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You will find answers to your questions if you are able to access the issues of The Restorer magazine for 2017. The Model A Restoration Guidelines and Judging Standards have a good explanation of the external pieces belonging on these carburetors. See Area 1 for all of those details. The Guidelines are not available online.

mcgarrett · 02-22-2023, 08:34 PM

Thanks, I'll check it out.

Steve Schmauch · 02-24-2023, 02:32 PM

The 2017 issues of The Restorer have the details for identifying all Zenith and Ford carburetors. Issues of The Restorer from Nov-Dec 2022 through May-June 2023 have/will have all of the details for identifying all Holley carburetors used in production of the Model A.

02-22-2023, 05:15 PM	#1
mcgarrett Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Waxahachie, Texas Posts: 949	Side bowl carburetors - correct identification markings I have a nice pair of Zenith side bowl carbs for the late '31 Slant Windshield cars with indented firewalls. I'd like to make sure the lower carb bodies (float bowls) are the correct ones for that vintage Model A. What casting numbers, foundry stampings, or other identifying markings should I be looking for to make sure they are correct for the side bowl application? One of them has "Zenith 2" cast into the side of the bowl.

02-22-2023, 05:30 PM	#2
Oldbluoval Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Signal Mtn, TN (SE TN) Posts: 2,372	Re: Side bowl carburetors - correct identification markings Most parts on those except Zenith 3 which is a side bowl into itself are interchangeable. But there were a few manufacturers even if it says Zenith. I think 3 was made by ford??? It has such cast into the lower bowl. Perhaps someone who builds/knows fine point can be more informative than me!

02-22-2023, 05:43 PM	#3
mcgarrett Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Waxahachie, Texas Posts: 949	Re: Side bowl carburetors - correct identification markings Thanks for your reply. I would like to hear from someone knowledgeable in those carburetors. I'm planning to put them up for sale and want them to be as correct as possible for the next owners. I also noticed that the choke lever is a brass casting and choke driver on one of the carbs is made of brass unlike the usual steel parts. I also wonder if those items are correct for the side bowl units?

02-22-2023, 07:21 PM	#4
Bill Cilker Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Milpitas, CA Posts: 398	Re: Side bowl carburetors - correct identification markings The MARC/MAFCA Restoration guidelines and judging standards book (2016 revision) has the information you want to know. Also there has been articles in the Restorer on the subject. __________________ Bill Cilker, Jr Unrestored 190A Victoria 45B, 160B & 189A Victoria Association President

02-22-2023, 08:00 PM	#5
mcgarrett Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Waxahachie, Texas Posts: 949	Re: Side bowl carburetors - correct identification markings Bill, Are these judging guidelines available online? Thanks for your reply!

02-22-2023, 08:18 PM	#6
Steve Schmauch Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Spokane, Washington Posts: 21	Re: Side bowl carburetors - correct identification markings Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) You will find answers to your questions if you are able to access the issues of The Restorer magazine for 2017. The Model A Restoration Guidelines and Judging Standards have a good explanation of the external pieces belonging on these carburetors. See Area 1 for all of those details. The Guidelines are not available online.

02-22-2023, 08:34 PM	#7
mcgarrett Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Waxahachie, Texas Posts: 949	Re: Side bowl carburetors - correct identification markings Thanks, I'll check it out.

02-24-2023, 02:32 PM	#8
Steve Schmauch Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Spokane, Washington Posts: 21	Re: Side bowl carburetors - correct identification markings The 2017 issues of The Restorer have the details for identifying all Zenith and Ford carburetors. Issues of The Restorer from Nov-Dec 2022 through May-June 2023 have/will have all of the details for identifying all Holley carburetors used in production of the Model A.