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Old 02-07-2017, 05:23 PM   #1
TinCup
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Smile Zenith Carbs All Manufacturers

I picked up a Zenith Sidebowl top which allowed me to pair it with the Zenith 3 bottom I already had. After I got done I realized I now had all 3 manufacturers quite by accident. I currently have a Zenith 2 sidebowl on my late 31 deluxe coupe and this Zenith 3 will be it's replacement unless I decide to sell it. I found the Zenith 3 bottom 4 or 5 years ago.
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Last edited by TinCup; 02-07-2017 at 05:50 PM.
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Old 02-07-2017, 05:30 PM   #2
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Default Re: Zenith All Manufacturers

The Zenith 3 carburetor top is distinguishable from the others as they are a thinner casting and there is some reinforcement on the top ears.
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Old 02-07-2017, 05:53 PM   #3
Rancho Deluxe
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Default Re: Zenith Carbs All Manufacturers

Sorry, That is not a Zenith 3 Top..
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Old 02-07-2017, 05:55 PM   #4
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Default Re: Zenith Carbs All Manufacturers

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Originally Posted by Rancho Deluxe View Post
Sorry, That is not a Zenith 3 Top..
It matches the 3 other Zenith 3's I have seen.
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Old 02-07-2017, 06:18 PM   #5
Steve Plucker
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Default Re: Zenith Carbs All Manufacturers

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Sorry, That is not a Zenith 3 Top..
Please continue your thought Rancho Deluxe as I to am interested.

Thanks.

Pluck
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Old 02-07-2017, 06:26 PM   #6
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Default Re: Zenith Carbs All Manufacturers

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This is the best I can do

Top is different, picture from Standards page 1-15
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Old 02-07-2017, 09:51 PM   #7
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Default Re: Zenith Carbs All Manufacturers

None of the Carbs shown in Tincups pictures have the cast upper support under the mounting bolt hole in the one facing the rear of car as shown in Joops picture of the Zenith 3.. Both types of the 3s had that feature.
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Old 02-07-2017, 10:02 PM   #8
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Default Re: Zenith Carbs All Manufacturers

Here is a photo from the RG&JS page 1-15 revised 2016. Note the difference between the ears on the carburetor on the left hand side and the carburetor on the RH side. The one on the right is a Zenith 3.

Look closely at the areas circled in the 2nd photo.



Note for the carburetor on the left:
Zenith carburetor castings used from
January 1930 through April 1931. Note the
alternate design top casting with a "knob"
on the gas inlet passage.

Note for the carburetor on the right:
Typical Zentih-3 carburetor castings (flat
firewall style shown)
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File Type: jpg zenith 3 carburetor croped.jpg (38.2 KB, 114 views)
File Type: jpg zenith 3 carburetor croped_edited-1.jpg (39.1 KB, 122 views)
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Last edited by 160B; 02-07-2017 at 11:16 PM. Reason: added photo with circled area of reinforcement area
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Old 02-08-2017, 01:17 PM   #9
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Default Re: Zenith Carbs All Manufacturers

Well I guess I have more looking to do. I have never seen a Zenith top like the one pictured above and I have seen my share of Zenith Carbs. I have seen a half dozen Zenith 3's and they all have the top I have now. I guess a half a Zenith 3 is better than no Zenith 3 at all
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Old 02-08-2017, 01:27 PM   #10
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Default Re: Zenith Carbs All Manufacturers

We rebuilt a side bowl carb for the late 31 truck. I am attaching the only picture I have on my phone. Angles and perspective are tricky, but it looks like the top pictured above. I know the bottom half is a Zenith -2. I will look closer at the carb when I go to the garage later tonight or tomorrow.
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Old 02-08-2017, 02:17 PM   #11
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Default Re: Zenith Carbs All Manufacturers

Many Original Zenith 3's Tops have cracked from 87+ years of use and abuse and are now sporting Tops from earlier Zeniths.
Remember the 3's were an early attempt at saving money by casting the walls thinner and the reason for the added bracing on the flange.
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Old 02-09-2017, 12:17 PM   #12
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Default Re: Zenith Carbs All Manufacturers

JaxFLG 8r Picture on the left looks to a Holley Zenith 2 side bowl correct top and bottom and correct for your late 31 truck
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Old 02-09-2017, 12:24 PM   #13
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Default Re: Zenith Carbs All Manufacturers

Quote:
Originally Posted by Fullraceflathead View Post
Many Original Zenith 3's Tops have cracked from 87+ years of use and abuse and are now sporting Tops from earlier Zeniths.
Remember the 3's were an early attempt at saving money by casting the walls thinner and the reason for the added bracing on the flange.
It is amazing how much lighter the Zenith 3 bottom is over the other 2. I wish I had a scale to weigh them.
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Old 02-09-2017, 12:33 PM   #14
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Default Re: Zenith Carbs All Manufacturers

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Originally Posted by TinCup View Post
It is amazing how much lighter the Zenith 3 bottom is over the other 2. I wish I had a scale to weigh them.
The post office might weigh it for you.
Of course the way they handle packages, they'll probably drop it and snap off the mounting ears.
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Old 02-10-2017, 03:29 AM   #15
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Default Re: Zenith Carbs All Manufacturers

There is a box out in the garage someplace with five or six ZENITH shape carburetors in it. Remember looking at them awhile back and none were marked ZENITH. Had a real ZENITH ONE pulled off the 31' Ford to compare those but got rid of that thing on eBay last year.

Does anybody actually use those clone ZENITH carbs? With other much better carburetors available, why would any manufacturer back in the old days have made a reproduction of the troublesome ZENITH?
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Old 02-10-2017, 06:33 AM   #16
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Default Re: Zenith Carbs All Manufacturers

Good find Tin cup the coolest part is that the parts are interchangeable
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