Zenith 1 vs Zenith 2

Dick Deegan

Dick Deegan

Well-known member
Good Afternoon All;

Can someone tell me the difference between a Zenith 1 and Zenith 2. I have a friend that purchased a carb kit for a Zenith and the parts do not seem to fit his Zenith 2. Was the Zenith 2 just an update to the Zenith 1? Was it used on B engines?

Dick
 
Zenith 1 was manufactured by Zenith, Zenith 2 was manufactured by Holley, the rebuild parts are the same. What parts do not fit? Can you post some photos?
 
Sometimes the paper gasket will shrink with time and can be enlarged by soaking in hot water, then pat it dry on a paper towel.
 
The early Zenith 1 and 2's had a brass GAV seat that later was replaced by just machining the seat in the casting. Other than that they are all the same as far as the rebuild kits go. Make sure you have a zenith 1 or 2 kit, and not one for a Tillson or latter Zenith carb. Zenith made carbs for many years that was used by many different engine makers.
 
The only Model A Carb I've ever seen that used the Brass GAV Seat, was the early 28 carbs that were built by Holley, with a Letter H cast in both the upper and lower body's of the Carb.

All the rest had a Cast Seat in the GAV tunnel, Machined in. Zenith G and 1-2-3

Although, the Re-Build Kits sold today Do Not have the Right Numbered Jets in them that Ford used. The Kits can be used it all the Holley, Zenith, and Ford Style Carbs. made for the Model A. It is better to find Numbered Jets that are still in good Condition.
 
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Thank you all. I will check with my friend tomorrow and find out which parts don't fit. He is redoing a carb that was given to him and this carb may have a few non standard parts.

BTW is there any preference between the Zenith 1, 2 or 3? Or, are they considered identical?

Dick
 
Is it possible that your friend received a rebuild kit for a model B Carb in error from the supplier. That happened to me when I ordered a B Model kit and was sent a Model A kit in error. If you have access to one of the suppliers catalogs you will be able to see the difference as most have good diagrams included.
 
Take some pictures. Set the camera on the lowest resolution and they will be easy to post. Be sure to set it back to high resolution before you use for vacation/family photos.

Charlie Stephens
 
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Yes, what Charlie said.
At first I had my camera set for the highest resolution GIFF, if I remember right, but then I reset it to medium JPEG and the picture looks just as good and posts with no problem. I'm no camera expert, but it works for me. Sometime I would like to learn more about digital pictures and cameras.

MERRY CHRISTMAS
 
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Tom Wesenberg said:
Yes, what Charlie said.
At first I had my camera set for the highest resolution GIFF, if I remember right, but then I reset it to medium JPEG and the picture look just as good and post with no problem. I'm no camera expert, but it works for me. Sometime I would like to learn more about digital pictures and cameras.

MERRY CHRISTMAS
Click to expand...
Ol' Bill cain't find NO resolution adj. on his FINE-PIX camera, we red the book in English, then in Spanish, & we REALLY confused NOW:confused: Buster T.:confused: (BUT, we know how to set the DELAYED thingy on the COFFEE pot!)
 
jmeckel said:
The early Zenith 1 and 2's had a brass GAV seat that later was replaced by just machining the seat in the casting............
Click to expand...

Jazzjr said:
The only Model A Carb I've ever seen that used the Brass GAV Seat, was the early 28 carbs that were built by Holley, with a Letter H cast in both the upper and lower body's of the Carb.
All the rest had a Cast Seat in the GAV tunnel, Machined in. Zenith G and 1-2-3
.................
Click to expand...

Look at the Restoration Guidelines and Judging standards Area 1, Engine, pages 1-12 & 1-13 Revised 2013. The removable brass gas adjusting valve seat was standard in both the Zenith 1, manufactured by Zenith, and the Zenith 2, manufactured by Holley from start of production, (SOP), through January 1930.
 
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