Zenith Carbs All Manufacturers

[TinCup]

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.

 

[160B]

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.

 

[Rancho Deluxe]

Sorry, That is not a Zenith 3 Top..

 

[TinCup]

Sorry, That is not a Zenith 3 Top..

It matches the 3 other Zenith 3's I have seen.

 

[Steve Plucker]

Sorry, That is not a Zenith 3 Top..

Please continue your thought Rancho Deluxe as I to am interested.

Thanks.

Pluck

 

[Joop]

This is the best I can do

Top is different, picture from Standards page 1-15

 

[Rancho Deluxe]

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.

 

[160B]

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)

 

[TinCup]

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

 

[JaxFLG8r]

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.

 

[Fullraceflathead]

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.

 

[Carb Guy]

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

 

[TinCup]

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.

 

[Tom Wesenberg]

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.

 

[Capt Quahog]

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?

 

[jm29henry]

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