The Ford Barn

clay co 27 · 07-20-2014, 10:24 AM

Will a zenith 3 top work on zenith 1 and zenith 2 bottoms?
and what are the markings on zenith 3 top. thanks, carl

Fred · 07-20-2014, 11:38 AM

Yes, & The Z or None..

Mike V. Florida · 07-20-2014, 10:29 PM

Plan Zenith was made by Zenith

Zenith (Zenith Detroit) tops can be recognized by the Z marking located below the throttle shaft. The lower bodies are marked Zenith or Zenith-1. There are subtle differences in the dowel pins/bosses on the upper body and fittings.

The Holley (Holley Carburetor Company) upper body has an H or is plain below the throttle shaft. The lower body is plain or marked Zenith-2 (after 1/1/1929). Again there are subtle differences in the fittings both by year and by manufacturer.

Lastly, The Ford motor company produced 2 carburetors for the Model A in 1931. The upper body was either marked with a 3, or was plain. The lower bodies were marked Zenith-3.

mrraford · 07-21-2014, 03:38 AM

The distinguishing characteristics of the 3 top is the thinner casting (be careful, this makes them easier to break) and the bracing cast under the ears. I think Henry was trying to take some weight off the sidebowl and compensate with a stronger brace.

Ron in Quincy · 07-21-2014, 01:57 PM

Here is a picture of a ZENITH-3 side bowl I have. Note the thin casting of the mounting surface to intake manifold and the reinforcing rib below the back mounting bolt.

Purdy Swoft · 07-21-2014, 02:56 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

All of the Zenith 3 carbs are not side bowl type. I think the Zenith 3 was made by Ford as a replacement part and was never standard on a new model A.

Mike V. Florida · 07-21-2014, 03:09 PM

Jim Mason used to have a site that had all the carbs from a collection a friend had. It was presented with how they looked and who made them.

Purdy Swoft · 07-21-2014, 03:28 PM

Model A org use to have most original and aftermarket carbs pictured plus lots of info.

Ron in Quincy · 07-21-2014, 07:13 PM

The first Zenith-3 carburetor had the gas inlet at the front like the Zenith1 and Zenith-2; the upper housing had the thin mounting flange and the reinforcing rib to the back.

With the indented firewall the Zenith-1 (Zenith Company), Zenith-2 (Holley Company) and Zenith-3 (Ford Motor Co.) changed the upper housing to accommodate the side bowl filter.

It is my understanding that all 3 of the carburetors could have appeared on A's coming from Assembly. I do not believe the Zenith-3 was a replacement item ?

Ron

Midwest Tin · 07-21-2014, 07:29 PM

Hi Ron,
The finish on your Zenith 3 looks correct. Do you know what type of finish was used and does it hold up to gas? Thank you, Jim Sinclair

Ron in Quincy · 07-21-2014, 08:47 PM

Jim Sinclair,

The finish I use has a dull black finish; after it is dry I rub the finish with a piece of toweling and it takes on fine sheen; the heat from engine seems to set the paint; it seems to hold up quite well as long as there is no gas leaks.

The paint brand: Engine Enamel by AERVOE INDUSTRIES INC. Gardnerville, Nevada 89410 ; Flat Black #512; you can get it in a 6 pack, runs about $5.27 a spray can.
You can talk to Jeff Weaver, customer service, at 1-800-227-0196 .

Ron Rude

RonC · 07-22-2014, 05:18 AM

Purdy Not Post production. The April 1931 engine picture in the standards has a Zenith 3

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showth...0353&highlight

Midwest Tin · 07-26-2014, 12:40 PM

Ron,
Thanks for your reply
Jim

07-20-2014, 10:24 AM	#1
clay co 27 Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: N E arkansas Posts: 43	zenith 3 Will a zenith 3 top work on zenith 1 and zenith 2 bottoms? and what are the markings on zenith 3 top. thanks, carl

07-20-2014, 11:38 AM	#2
Fred BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: California, Maryland Posts: 1,421	Re: zenith 3 Yes, & The Z or None.. Last edited by Fred; 07-20-2014 at 12:11 PM.

07-20-2014, 10:29 PM	#3
Mike V. Florida Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Florida Posts: 14,054	Re: zenith 3 Plan Zenith was made by Zenith Zenith (Zenith Detroit) tops can be recognized by the Z marking located below the throttle shaft. The lower bodies are marked Zenith or Zenith-1. There are subtle differences in the dowel pins/bosses on the upper body and fittings. The Holley (Holley Carburetor Company) upper body has an H or is plain below the throttle shaft. The lower body is plain or marked Zenith-2 (after 1/1/1929). Again there are subtle differences in the fittings both by year and by manufacturer. Lastly, The Ford motor company produced 2 carburetors for the Model A in 1931. The upper body was either marked with a 3, or was plain. The lower bodies were marked Zenith-3. __________________ What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II

07-21-2014, 03:38 AM	#4
mrraford Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 190	Re: zenith 3 The distinguishing characteristics of the 3 top is the thinner casting (be careful, this makes them easier to break) and the bracing cast under the ears. I think Henry was trying to take some weight off the sidebowl and compensate with a stronger brace.

07-21-2014, 02:56 PM	#6
Purdy Swoft Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 8,099	Re: zenith 3 Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) All of the Zenith 3 carbs are not side bowl type. I think the Zenith 3 was made by Ford as a replacement part and was never standard on a new model A.

07-21-2014, 01:57 PM	#5
Ron in Quincy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Quincy, CA. Posts: 1,708	Re: zenith 3 Here is a picture of a ZENITH-3 side bowl I have. Note the thin casting of the mounting surface to intake manifold and the reinforcing rib below the back mounting bolt. Last edited by Ron in Quincy; 10-28-2015 at 08:16 PM.

07-21-2014, 03:09 PM	#7
Mike V. Florida Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Florida Posts: 14,054	Re: zenith 3 Jim Mason used to have a site that had all the carbs from a collection a friend had. It was presented with how they looked and who made them. __________________ What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II

07-21-2014, 03:28 PM	#8
Purdy Swoft Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 8,099	Re: zenith 3 Model A org use to have most original and aftermarket carbs pictured plus lots of info.

07-21-2014, 07:13 PM	#9
Ron in Quincy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Quincy, CA. Posts: 1,708	Re: zenith 3 The first Zenith-3 carburetor had the gas inlet at the front like the Zenith1 and Zenith-2; the upper housing had the thin mounting flange and the reinforcing rib to the back. With the indented firewall the Zenith-1 (Zenith Company), Zenith-2 (Holley Company) and Zenith-3 (Ford Motor Co.) changed the upper housing to accommodate the side bowl filter. It is my understanding that all 3 of the carburetors could have appeared on A's coming from Assembly. I do not believe the Zenith-3 was a replacement item ? Ron

07-21-2014, 07:29 PM	#10
Midwest Tin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Kenosha, WI Posts: 1,001	Re: zenith 3 Hi Ron, The finish on your Zenith 3 looks correct. Do you know what type of finish was used and does it hold up to gas? Thank you, Jim Sinclair

07-21-2014, 08:47 PM	#11
Ron in Quincy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Quincy, CA. Posts: 1,708	Re: zenith 3 Jim Sinclair, The finish I use has a dull black finish; after it is dry I rub the finish with a piece of toweling and it takes on fine sheen; the heat from engine seems to set the paint; it seems to hold up quite well as long as there is no gas leaks. The paint brand: Engine Enamel by AERVOE INDUSTRIES INC. Gardnerville, Nevada 89410 ; Flat Black #512; you can get it in a 6 pack, runs about $5.27 a spray can. You can talk to Jeff Weaver, customer service, at 1-800-227-0196 . Ron Rude

07-22-2014, 05:18 AM	#12
RonC Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 1,868	Re: zenith 3 Purdy Not Post production. The April 1931 engine picture in the standards has a Zenith 3 https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showth...0353&highlight

07-26-2014, 12:40 PM	#13
Midwest Tin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Kenosha, WI Posts: 1,001	Re: zenith 3 Ron, Thanks for your reply Jim