Flow Tester for Zenith Carburetor

[A-Man]

I would like to check the flow on my Zenith 2 carburetor. The booklet entitled ZENITH MODEL A CARBURETOR RESTORATION GUIDELINES states that a flow tester can be constructed from white Schedule 40 PVC. Has anyone made such a tester? If so, can details be provided for construction of a flow tester, including the diameter of Schedule 40 PVC, diameter of the water discharge tube, etc.
Thanks.

 

[Bob Johnson]

The diameters of the tubes do not matter. The important feature is the distance from the center of the jet (when connected to the flow tester) and the top of the water column. Most flow testers use running water to maintain the height of the column.

Here is a picture of my flow tester. I use a 1 gallon milk jug as the water reservoir. The size of the jug is large enough that I do not have to use a continuous flow of water to keep the water level at the correct height. After each flow test the water level drops only a fraction of an inch. I just put the water that came out during the test back into the reservoir and the water column height is preserved.

Bob

 

[Barry in St.Paul]

here's the one I rigged up. Was kind of fun.

 

[Brian T]

I used Steve Pargeters book, he has a nice diagram of how to make the tester, I had most of the pieces to make it, you will need a measuring tube up to 250 ml liters, (I found mine at a medical supply place) you may have to modify your adjustments a little after resizing to compensate to suit your engine,

 

[Gary/IA]

This picture is similar to the already posted pictures but maybe shows it a little clearer. The valve at the bottom can be adjusted to allow just enough water in to maintain just a small discharge out of the top tube, thus maintaining the correct height for the column of water.

 

[john in illinois]

Chris Pelican has some good info on this.Great carb site.

LINK http://www.modela.org/default.html

 

[SteveM]

here's the one I rigged up. Was kind of fun.

I didn't know Little Tykes made a flow tester!

Steve

 

[Tacoma Bob]

I too used the Pargeter instructions to build mine. I'm no mental giant but a critical demention is 36" between the center of the jet port and the head hieght. Several of us just gave a flow test workshop to our club. I converted min to plastic tub and small sump pump. I too used a ball valve on the discharge side and was told by an engineering buddy one should really use a gate valve. Hold the jet horizontal and test each jet a minimun of three times.