Mitch Bunkin in PA
Senior Member
[FONT="]Even though my knowledge of Model “A’s” is very basic, I have this strong desire to get my 1930 Town Sedan back as close as possible to the way it was in 1930. That’s what motivated me to respond to the ad in the MARC magazine of Neal Frank, AKA “PASSING GAS CARBURETION.” (I also, recall Ford Barn carburetor comments by Pete Mendola in 2012) As we’re only 12 miles apart, Mr. Frank invited me to visit. In a lengthy conversation Neal explained the difference between remanufacturing (his specialty) and rebuilding/restoring a carburetor. I decided to ask Neal to remanufacture my carb. This takes 15 to 20 hours and costs 2 to 3 times more than a rebuild. Using this remanufacturing process Mr. Frank can resurrect a carb and the result is a unit of the proper year and month, functioning EXACTLY as designed. Neal usually has several phone conversations with the customer as the job progresses. Obviously prices vary depending on the condition of the carb. At completion, the customer receives a 35 point shop check-off list as well as a 5 to 8 page written report.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Neal uses original blueprints and a unique set of tooling & jigs for his milling machine. With my Zenith-2, Neal had to true up the joining surfaces of the carb as they did not meet his minimum requirement of a maximum .004 gap. All housing surfaces were resurfaced. All jet threads repaired/replaced and seats resurfaced. Neal finds that many new jets and original jets are not to specifications. The orifices must be concave and exactly the proper dimension. Jets must be exactly the proper height relative to the venturi and flow tested precisely at proper millimeters per minute. The float is buoyancy tested and weighed. Neal insists float weight must be within .1 gram of his requirement. He also resurfaced the integral seat of the gas control valve. This is only a tiny sample of the many procedures performed on my carb during the remanufacturing process. Besides frequent cleaning and bench testing during the process, Neal drive tested the carb traveling more than 60 miles and duplicating many different situations such as emergency stopping at an intersection, etc. This is followed by a third, 24 hour cool-down test.[/FONT]
[FONT="]My car now runs like new. The feeling of enhanced power is impressive and I can go up most hills in third gear. It doesn’t stall or oscillate at intersections (engine idle stays smooth) and it doesn’t leak even if I forget to turn off the gas line petcock when parked. I put this on the forum, because Neal doesn’t use computers very much. If you are a purist interested in a perfect or show quality remanufacturing, rather than a rebuild, Passing Gas is the place to go. If you send Neal a stamped, self addressed envelope, he’ll send you a copy of his 35 point remanufacturing check list. His address is 379 Sweetbriar Road, Perkasie, PA 18944.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Neal uses original blueprints and a unique set of tooling & jigs for his milling machine. With my Zenith-2, Neal had to true up the joining surfaces of the carb as they did not meet his minimum requirement of a maximum .004 gap. All housing surfaces were resurfaced. All jet threads repaired/replaced and seats resurfaced. Neal finds that many new jets and original jets are not to specifications. The orifices must be concave and exactly the proper dimension. Jets must be exactly the proper height relative to the venturi and flow tested precisely at proper millimeters per minute. The float is buoyancy tested and weighed. Neal insists float weight must be within .1 gram of his requirement. He also resurfaced the integral seat of the gas control valve. This is only a tiny sample of the many procedures performed on my carb during the remanufacturing process. Besides frequent cleaning and bench testing during the process, Neal drive tested the carb traveling more than 60 miles and duplicating many different situations such as emergency stopping at an intersection, etc. This is followed by a third, 24 hour cool-down test.[/FONT]
[FONT="]My car now runs like new. The feeling of enhanced power is impressive and I can go up most hills in third gear. It doesn’t stall or oscillate at intersections (engine idle stays smooth) and it doesn’t leak even if I forget to turn off the gas line petcock when parked. I put this on the forum, because Neal doesn’t use computers very much. If you are a purist interested in a perfect or show quality remanufacturing, rather than a rebuild, Passing Gas is the place to go. If you send Neal a stamped, self addressed envelope, he’ll send you a copy of his 35 point remanufacturing check list. His address is 379 Sweetbriar Road, Perkasie, PA 18944.[/FONT]
