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06-05-2021, 11:32 AM | #1 |
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Zenith - 1 Carburetor
Does anyone know if the Zenith - 1 carb is a tractor carb? It was on the car when I got it. Will only run if you use the tractor adjustment settings.
I rebuilt the carb and cleared all passages as per Tom Endy's 7 page article. Results: Runs great if you use the tractor adjustments. Here it is"
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06-05-2021, 11:47 AM | #2 |
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Re: Zenith - 1 Carburetor
No it is not a tractor carb. The picture is a tractor or forklift Zenith
adapted to a Model A. Last edited by Bob C; 06-05-2021 at 12:02 PM. |
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06-05-2021, 12:03 PM | #3 |
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Re: Zenith - 1 Carburetor
Can't imagine why it will only run on the tractor setting.
I rebuilt a tillotson for a backup, it starts at 1/4 open gav and runs at 50/55 MPH at 1/2 open gav. Guess I will run it. Thanks for your answer.
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06-05-2021, 12:17 PM | #4 |
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Re: Zenith - 1 Carburetor
I have used a Zenith 1/carburetor on our 29 for almost 40 years. Runs great.
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06-05-2021, 12:28 PM | #5 |
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Re: Zenith - 1 Carburetor
WHN, maybe the previous owner did some opening of passages. Thanks
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06-05-2021, 01:06 PM | #6 |
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Re: Zenith - 1 Carburetor
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06-05-2021, 02:04 PM | #7 | |
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Re: Zenith - 1 Carburetor
Quote:
(revised 2010) by Tom Endy Step by step instructions, and illustrations. Still had to use the tractor settings to get it to run. I rebuilt a Tillotson for a back up and put it on my car and it starts right up a 1/4 turn CCW on the GAV, and runs on the road 50/55 MPH with 1/2 turn on the GAV CCW. Over the past 65 years (87 years old) I have rebuilt many carbs, so I believe that a previous owner has modified this carb some way in order for it to behave as it does. It does run great at those tractor settings, I just wanted it to run as a stock carb. Thanks
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06-05-2021, 05:34 PM | #8 |
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Re: Zenith - 1 Carburetor
Ok so I am really lost on this one. One person is talking about a Zenith 1 only running on tractor setting...Then someone is showing a picture of a Tillotson forklift carb. ??
What the heck are tractor settings? Does it have a GVA or not?
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06-05-2021, 06:09 PM | #9 | |
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Re: Zenith - 1 Carburetor
Quote:
is for a tractor. I don't know the tractor they are referring to. Check it out!
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06-06-2021, 08:46 AM | #10 |
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Re: Zenith - 1 Carburetor
That link shows the instructions not the carb being talked about and did not see small type at bottom where it came from and line that I quote. Does your carb have the adjustable jet on the bottom (like the Tillotson)? "Set main jet adjusting needle at 4 1/2 full turns open." While not stock, it was an aftermarket item and could explain a lot. If so maybe change back to non adjustable jet and see if that helps.
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I know the voices aren't real but damn they have some good ideas! Last edited by redmodelt; 06-06-2021 at 08:53 AM. |
06-06-2021, 11:43 AM | #11 | |
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Re: Zenith - 1 Carburetor
Quote:
soaked overnight in carb cleaner, and run a wire through all the passages. After putting it back together and running it on my car it will only run as I described above, which is what the tractor adjustment describes. Any help concerning this is very much appreciated.
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06-06-2021, 11:50 AM | #12 |
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Re: Zenith - 1 Carburetor
What jet are you turning 41/2 turns open? that is where I'm lost. I only know of the idle jet and the GAV.
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06-06-2021, 11:57 AM | #13 |
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Re: Zenith - 1 Carburetor
It is the Gav, which is an adjustable needle.
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06-06-2021, 12:40 PM | #14 |
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Re: Zenith - 1 Carburetor
Seems that everyone I have communicated with can't figure out this Zenith, I certainly cannot. I believe I will leave my backup Tillotson on the car which works perfectly and forget the Zenith for now.
Thanks to everyone that offered advice and help.
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06-06-2021, 01:41 PM | #15 |
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Re: Zenith - 1 Carburetor
There are 3 adjustment screws normally on a stock Model A Zenith.
1. IAS Idle Air Screw on upper casting (45 degree angle) for adjusting Idle mixture. 2. GAV Gas Adjustment Valve lower casting (45 degree angle) on the same shaft as the choke lever. 3. The idle speed adjustment screw on throttle shaft Then there is a 4th possibility. 4. A "T" handle on bottom coming out of the normal drain plug. (90 degrees to the casting) This is not stock and if it is there it is the cause of this problem. Which one are you turning 4 1/2 turns? Last edited by Benson; 06-06-2021 at 03:57 PM. |
06-06-2021, 03:57 PM | #16 |
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Re: Zenith - 1 Carburetor
A photo of this carb would tell us what it going on here.
Maybe it is not even a Model A carb although it does say Zenith 1. Zenith made carbs for many different applications |
06-06-2021, 03:58 PM | #17 | |
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Re: Zenith - 1 Carburetor
Quote:
No T handle, and it is the GAV that I am adjusting. It is not 4 1/2 turns totally. Following the Zenith Adjustment that I uploaded in Post 1 I ended up with the GAV 2 1/2 turns open. It idles and runs up to 50/55 MPH at 2 1/2 turns Open ,but will start and idle at 1/4 turn open. will backfire through the carb if exhilarated. Turn the GAV 1 to 1 1/2 turn it will run up to 35 MPH, Turn it another 1/2 turn it will exhilarate to 45 MPH. finally to 2 1/2 Turns open it will exhilarate easily to 50 MPH then slowly climb to 55 MPH. BTW No vacuum leaks.
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06-06-2021, 04:21 PM | #18 |
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Re: Zenith - 1 Carburetor
Sounds like a jet may be restricted. By opening the GAV that much I believe that's compensating for a blockage. If you want to mail me your jets I'll flow test them for you to see how far out of range they are. And if there's blockage I'll clear them to be the correct size.
We're taking our Model 'A' to Texas for the Texas tour 2021 in a few days so won't be able to get to it for a week or so. PM me if you want those flow tested and I'll send you my address.
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06-06-2021, 05:06 PM | #19 |
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Re: Zenith - 1 Carburetor
John, Below from http://model-a.org/symptoms.html which is a good site for the Zenith carburetor. You are running too lean. If you cannot fix it they have a rebuilding service.
Mixture lean and over heating Common Causes
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06-06-2021, 07:12 PM | #20 |
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Re: Zenith - 1 Carburetor
mkaminar, Lots of good info there, thanks a lot.
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