Carbs...Tillitson vs Zenith vs Marvel???

ETAModel

ETAModel

Senior Member
I've read where the Zenith carb was used in all original Model A's, but also seen Tillitson and the Marvel carb used and spoken of.

Were Zenith carbs used Exclusively as original parts, were other brands used as original equipment? Is the Marvel part of the Tillitson line?

Lastly, what was/is the difference between the different brands? Pros/cons ? Which do you prefer, and why do you prefer it over another ?

Thanks.

ET
 
ETAModel said:
I have no desire to show the car, just drive it.
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And yet here you are, asking questions like "what was used as original equipment" that can be answered by the judging standards. The RG&JS serve the dual purpose of guiding restoration competition and being a reference authority for how your car would have originally appeared.
 
WOW did someone break a mirror? This post and a couple others, posters taking offense, well maybe it's just the heat?
 
I certainly took no offense. FordBarn is known for its short attention span. The seasons change, the swallows return to their nests, and someone wants to know which carb is the best. Nothing new under the sun.
 
All of these carburetors will perform satisfactorily if they are clean and the jets are sized properly. However, the materials used in the construction of the Zenith are superior to the others and the Zenith is well documented. All of the jet flow data for the Zenith is published. I only rebuild Zenith because of this. The castings for the others are made of soft pot metal and the threads for jets and drain plugs can be worn causing leaks. Ed
 
Not sure why nobody will just answer your question...anyway, the Zenith was the original equipment carb for the A. Both Tillotson and Marvel (sometimes known as Allstate) were aftermarket replacement carbs. Zenith carbs are sturdy and if properly rebuilt, perform great. Both the Tillotson and Marvel carbs can also be made to work very well. The problem with the Tillotson and Marvel carbs is that the soft pot metal they are made of warps and creates leaks, both at the mating surface between the two carb halves and at the flange that mates to the manifold. Threads tend to strip out on these, too. Sometimes you can file the surfaces to get them back in spec.

ETAModel said:
I've read where the Zenith carb was used in all original Model A's, but also seen Tillitson and the Marvel carb used and spoken of.

Were Zenith carbs used Exclusively as original parts, were other brands used as original equipment? Is the Marvel part of the Tillitson line?

Lastly, what was/is the difference between the different brands? Pros/cons ? Which do you prefer, and why do you prefer it over another ?

Thanks.

ET
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All three are good carburetors when redone correctly.
As far as operation all three will run fine but I find the Marvel the best followed by Tillotson and finally Zenith.
The Zenith and Marvel seem to be the most bulletproof.
 
This discussion seems to have forgotten the Model B Zenith carburetor that came as standard equipment on all 32-34 4 cylinder Ford Model B's. This carburetor is a excellent replacement for the Model A Zenith, parts are really available and jet flow charts for all the jets is well documented and available. And it's a cast iron carburetor just as the original was which makes it more durable.
 
kippmw said:
Not sure why nobody will just answer your question...anyway, the Zenith was the original equipment carb for the A. Both Tillotson and Marvel (sometimes known as Allstate) were aftermarket replacement carbs. Zenith carbs are sturdy and if properly rebuilt, perform great. Both the Tillotson and Marvel carbs can also be made to work very well. The problem with the Tillotson and Marvel carbs is that the soft pot metal they are made of warps and creates leaks, both at the mating surface between the two carb halves and at the flange that mates to the manifold. Threads tend to strip out on these, too. Sometimes you can file the surfaces to get them back in spec.
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THANK YOU!!!!
As my dear old long gone friend used to say..."The internet is the place where you ask the time of day and someone tells you how to build a watch!"
 
I have no desire to get a book of judging standards. I was not asking about the carbs because I want one to be original. I saw where someone had received a rebuilt Marvel and folks were saying the person does a great job and the carb would be a good one. Which got me to thinking...maybe that's where I went wrong.

I'm sorry to have bothered you fine folks. Do carry on with your mud pies.
 
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