Tillotson top casting

Russell Reay

Russell Reay

Well-known member
My Tillotson carb developed the warped casting right on schedule, so I switched to two Zenith carbs. I have cleaned and rebuilt both Zs following all the instructions and warnings on this forum, except the jets are not flow-tested. The car ran better with the Tilly and was certainly more fuel efficient. I used a long ******* file to flatten the top casting, and mistakenly created a divot. Is JB Weld gas resistant enough for me to apply it and resume the flattening exercise so I can resume using the Tilly?
 
There are numerous different JB Weld products. You might try JB Weld "Gas Tank Weld" or equivalent. I have never used it.
 
I had a manifold that had been brazed to fix a cracked flange on the inside where I couldn't see it. It warped my Tillotson every time I bolted it on. I finally replaced both manifolds and that fixed the warping problem. I was thinking that it was an inherent problem with those carbs but I was wrong.
 
The JB Weld that has the long cure should hold. Remove any oils by using carburetor cleaner or acetone or lacquer thinner.
 
The tillotson carburetor is a much more efficient design than the zenith that's why you see better performance and better fuel mileage running the tillotson!!!
 
I've got two professionally rebuilt Zenith Carbs. They perform well no complaints. One was from the late Jim Bullock.

BUT I went back to Tilly, the car runs a LOT better with it:eek:

You can pick them up on the cheap at swap meets. Russell, if I were you that would be my go-to solution. Tilly's are easy to rebuild. You don't have the rust issues. Grab a couple and use the top part of one of them on the carb you are running now.

Happy Model A-ing!
 
The best way to "level" the aluminum Tilly is to remove all the jets, lay sandpaper on the top of a table saw or other machined surface, and then "rub" the mating flange which will get "filed" on the high spots.

You may still be able to do this.

And - one should keep in mind - the bowl is "vented" and a seal surface on the edge is only there to prevent gasoline spillage on engine vibration.

Permatex No. 2 might be fine here - just to close the gap for driving.

Joe K
 
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