Tillotson Carburetor

[JohnB15632]

It turns out that I have a Tillotson Carburetor on my 1931 SW 4D TS. It did not work. I have taken it apart and cleaned it thoroughly.

There are no repair kits for this carburetor and Les Andrews do not cover this carburetor.

Question, Can I use the carburetor on my Model A? Do I need to switch to the Zenith Carburetor? ( I guess that is two questions.)

Thanks,

[1955cj5]

Bert's has a kit for the Tillotson, others probably do also.

https://parts.modelastore.com/show_Product.asp?ID=3998

There is also a book...

https://parts.modelastore.com/show_Product.asp?ID=6109


My pickup has had a Tillotson for years.

[1955cj5]

Even more info here..

https://sites.google.com/site/mrtexa...ly-carburetors

[JohnB15632]

To 19955cj5,

Thank you bunches!!!

This is so much help!!!

John

[Marshall V. Daut]

Almost every Tillotson carb that I have (reluctantly) rebuilt for customers and friends needed the lowest horizontal passageway to the GAV well drilled out. It's the lowest passageway in the carb and gunk tends to settle here. Poor performance and even bucking under acceleration result when this passageway is clogged.
You can see the plug to this passageway in your photo at the lowest point of the carb's lower body. Carefully drill that out. But first, remove the GAV hardware so that you can see down inside. Start with a smaller bit than the size of the plug. Once a hole of sufficient size has been drilled, you may be able to pick the plug remains out, or it may come out with the bit. This goes directly into the bottom of the GAV passageway. The passageway is not as big as the plug; it's quite small where it exits into the GAV well. Take a stiff wire and shove it through the hole you just drilled out as far as it will go. It should poke into the GAV well at the bottom. Look down into the GAV and verify whether the wire goes through all the way. If you don't see it poke through, the passageway is blocked. The crud is almost always compacted tightly and doesn't easily pick out. Use a small bit to carefully drill out the crud. It should come out easily with the drill bit. The drill bit should exit into the GAV well. Then go to the next larger bit and drill out more crud. Keep going larger until the bit feels as though it's starting to drill into the pot metal body and not crud, which definitely feels softer and spongier. Stop there! The hole is big enough. If you drill the hole too big, it will throw off the GAV adjustment. I can't recall the correct size of the bit, but it is relatively small.
Now plug the hole you drilled with lead solder pounded into place or tap the hole and screw in a small bolt, coating the threads with an epoxy to prevent seepage. Don't go in too far or you'll block off the passageway hole near the plug. Once the bolt is in place and cured, hacksaw off the part of the bolt still sticking out. File smooth. Replace the GAV hardware and allow the plug's thread epoxy to cure before starting the car.
You should notice an improvement in performance with this hole drilled out. All the new gasket kits and blowing through the passageways with compressed air will not clear this stubborn passageway. Soaking in solvent won't do it, either. It must be drilled out to clear the way.
Please let us know if this passageway is clogged in your carb. I'd be surprised if it isn't.
Marshall

[Smooth_One]

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I have a model x on my 28. Been through 2 different ones and still trying to get it adjusted so it runs better.

[Patrick L.]

I think all the 'A' vendors have parts for them. At least all the ones I've used or looked at. The tilly is a simple and good carburetor, but, it does have its quirks.
It has a tendency to warp which can be fixed fairly easily and it needs to be cleaned very well. The main jet needs to come out and sometimes needs to be drilled out. Make sure the 2 off idle bleeds are clean.

[JohnB15632]

to Marshall,

Thank you for the information provided. If you are referring to the horizontal passageway shown on the attached picture, and I am sure that you are,

I was able to thread a strange of wire from the bottom of the bowl, down and through the horizontal passageway. It came through easily and showed no signs of gunk. I then inserted the tube from a can of brake cleaner into the hole at the bottom of the bowl that connects to the horizontal passageway. The cleaner squirted through, there was no blow back.

I take this to mean that, in my case, the passageway is clear and I do not have to do the extensive repair as you described.

Thank you for this information. I have saved it for future reference.

Thanks,

[WHN]

If you can afford it. Get a Zenith 1 carburetor. It will make all the difference in how your car runs.

[JohnB15632]

Well, at this point in my restoration, a new $545.00+ Zenith 1 carburetor is out of the question. Thanks

[Marshall V. Daut]

If you mean the plug that I have circled in your photo, that is the correct passageway. If you can get air/WD-40 to pass through here and exit under the GAV needle, you're o.k.
Marshall

[JohnB15632]

To Marshall,

YES!! Yes, I just tested that passageway and it is clear and flowing without restriction.

This carburetor, as is the rest of the engine been out of commission for 50+ years. It last run in 1960.

So, the carburetor is in fine shape to restore.

Thanks you!!!

[mike657894]

I have a tilly x on my car its warped pretty bad but seems to work well. it is a little leaky so I turn off my tank valve. about the best performance you could ask for out of a 1in venturi on a 3.3 liter. I also understand a tight hobby budget and a car that has 100 problems worse than a carb that may not 100% I havent blown out mine because it hasnt given me any problems. But I usually take a can of carb cleaner and blast all passages while looking in the carb.(safety glasses) to make sure all flows as it should it something dribbles clean further.

[Herb Concord Ca]

If you have access to an ultra-sonic cleaner, use it to clean your carb. Put some dishwasher detergent in the water and let it sonicate for 60 mins. Rinse with hot water and air dry. I do this on all my carbs.
I use a glass beaker for small parts.
Works great.

[JohnB15632]

Super cool idea!!!! Thanks!

You guys sure are a great help! Thanks! Thank you for all of the great information!!

[JohnB15632]

I have searched and searched this evening, I have yet to locate a filter or strainer that goes on the gasoline inlet of the Tillotson Carburetor?

I have read of such a filter/strainer.

Thank you,

[mike657894]

on the fire wall. will be a iron unit that the bottom screws out and there is the filter. if that has been replaced with a sediment bowl you will have no filter. and should put in a inline filer.

[JohnB15632]

Thanks, any suggestions of where I can locate one?

[RawhideKid]

http://www.mikes-afordable.com/product/A9155.html

http://www.mikes-afordable.com/product/A9156A.html

Get both.

[JohnB15632]

To RawhideKid,

Thank you,