Patrick L.
Well-known member
Well, since we didn't answer any of his questions,,,,
Carbs...Tillitson vs Zenith vs Marvel???
- Thread starter ETAModel
- Start date
jayvee34
Senior Member
I was having a problem with my Zenith, and I had a Tillotson that came extra with my car.
I rebuilt the Tillotson, straightened the mounting surfaces, installed it. It ran decent, but
not what I expected. I bought a set of jet drills and sized the jets in the Zenith, they were
undersized. Put the Zenith back on the car. Wow, what a difference. Set the GAV at about
1/8 open and that is where it stays. So my vote is for the Zenith.
BTW, I did run a wire through all the passages of the Zenith, they were all open.
I rebuilt the Tillotson, straightened the mounting surfaces, installed it. It ran decent, but
not what I expected. I bought a set of jet drills and sized the jets in the Zenith, they were
undersized. Put the Zenith back on the car. Wow, what a difference. Set the GAV at about
1/8 open and that is where it stays. So my vote is for the Zenith.
BTW, I did run a wire through all the passages of the Zenith, they were all open.
Y-Blockhead
Well-known member
I would not reccommend a new Zenith if they are anything like the one I got. The Throttle shaft was so loose I had to install a new throttle shaft and bushings.
Any of the three carburetors mentioned work fine. My Town Sedan runs better with a Marvel Schemler than a Zenith (I tried two of both). I have never used a Tillotson.
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rotorwrench
Well-known member
The Zenith carburetors were also made by different sources in order to keep up with production but all are the same design.
Borg Warner was in the carburetor business and made lots of aftermarket stuff as well as contracting to manufacturers. Marvel Schebler and Tillotson were all part of Borg Warner. Zinc die cast was used on most of the aftermarket model A carbs so they can get warped easily by over tightening fasteners . They work well enough though. The Marvel Schebler carb is likely the most efficient one of the aftermarket types. Ford dealers even supplied some of these after the Zenith carburator production stopped. There were two types of Tillotson carbs. One was a round bowl models F1B and the other was the classic model X. The Marvel Schebler was the model TSX but was also sold by other distributors with badge branding. Firestone, Sears Allstate, and Johnson were some of them that I know of and each used their own part number.
Borg Warner was in the carburetor business and made lots of aftermarket stuff as well as contracting to manufacturers. Marvel Schebler and Tillotson were all part of Borg Warner. Zinc die cast was used on most of the aftermarket model A carbs so they can get warped easily by over tightening fasteners . They work well enough though. The Marvel Schebler carb is likely the most efficient one of the aftermarket types. Ford dealers even supplied some of these after the Zenith carburator production stopped. There were two types of Tillotson carbs. One was a round bowl models F1B and the other was the classic model X. The Marvel Schebler was the model TSX but was also sold by other distributors with badge branding. Firestone, Sears Allstate, and Johnson were some of them that I know of and each used their own part number.
Y-Blockhead
Well-known member
I am not sure we can make a general statement that the Marvel Schebler is a Model TSX. There are many different configurations of carburetors in the Marvel Schebler TSX Series. Do you know the number of the TSX we use?
It is also known as an Allstate 2405.
Brentwood Bob
Well-known member
I was given the late Ron Rude's left over tools and stuff. This included
A bunch of used dental drills and a 1970s predremel hand detailing electric drill.
Putting 2 and 2 together, I am guessing Rude used these partly to rework original jets.
He once told me he used only OEM jets, but I am guessing he didn't do the flow testing many have interest in. Maybe the drills were for replacing the passageway brass plugs. I will try that.
A bunch of used dental drills and a 1970s predremel hand detailing electric drill.
Putting 2 and 2 together, I am guessing Rude used these partly to rework original jets.
He once told me he used only OEM jets, but I am guessing he didn't do the flow testing many have interest in. Maybe the drills were for replacing the passageway brass plugs. I will try that.
Kurt in NJ
Well-known member
I like the zenith because it is so easy to clean on the car, one bolt and the bowl comes off for cleaning, with just one bolt
rotorwrench
Well-known member
The only number on the Marvel Schebler carburetor for the model A was the patent number and that was the old updraft patent for Wheeler-Schebler by Earl Bessom so it doesn't ID all the carbs of the type. TSX was only a general model designation for a good number of the updraft type carbs and I've only heard of a few people that refered to it that way. It likely was never issued a model number but more than likely it was referred to as the Model A carburetor for obvious reasons. Sort of like the Johnson model JFA which pretty much speaks for itself as an acronym. With no numbers on it, they could sell it in bulk to any auto parts company that wanted to market it which is not a bad idea in the aftermarket parts business.
Frank Wheeler and three other locals opened the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 1909. Both Wheeler and his engineer partner, George Schebler, sold their interest in the company early on but it kept the name until it became part of Borg Warner Corp in the late 20s. It became the Marvel Schebler Division after that. The company is still around but is under ownership of an aviation fuels systems conglomerate Tempest Aero Group.