Tillotson Warpage

[jfreddie]

I have a tillotson carb that's got warpage between the top and bottom halves.

Has anyone ever tried using two gaskets to compensate for the warpage? I know that would change the float level slightly.

I'm leary of trying the clamp together throw it in the oven trick.

Thanks.

 

[qstott]

Depending on how badly it's warped, you may be able to help by sanding the surfaces. I did that on one. I placed a sheet of sand paper on a flat surface and sanded it flat.

 

[Res731]

I did the trick with heating it. Used several hose clamps and put it in the BBQ grill Worked quite well.

 

[VFRhugh]

Check this out, all you'll ever want to know about the Tilly.
Hugh
https://sites.google.com/site/mrtexascitrus/home/tilly-carburetors

 

[Tacoma Bob]

Oven heat trick worked very well on two tilly's for me.

 

[Y-Blockhead]

Check this out, all you'll ever want to know about the Tilly.
Hugh
https://sites.google.com/site/mrtexascitrus/home/tilly-carburetors

I like this from the above link...

"Upper casting bottom warped. This is a common problem that can cause leaks. I take a hammer and beat on the upper casting with the upper and lower casting screwed together."

 

[jfreddie]

Thanks, that website was very helpful and great cutaways.
Would have been nice to see the setup to clamp and put in the oven.
Not sure I want to use the hammer!
He did mention two gaskets, though.

 

[mcorrell]

I hate to admit it but I used JB Weld to seal up the two halves after assembly. No leaks after a few hundred miles. My plan is to rebuild a Zenith to replace the Tilly when necessary.

 

[jfreddie]

That's a good idea with the JB.
Spread some on each half, then screw together with waxed paper betwn.

Take it apart after several hours but before total hard and shave off the excess.

Then reassemble after hard. Sound good?

 

[tbirdtbird]

have you done it?

 

[larrys40]

the oven method works well. disassemble the carb, remove gasket, jets, etc , reassemble and put a couple of hose clamps around the two carb halves and tighten and then put in the oven on a mild temp. for 20 minutes or so. They will straighten out!
Larry Shepard

 

[Peyton]

I agree with gstott. Sand the warped half (halves) down to a reasonable fit and use a thick gasket between the two halves. Worked for me. Peyton Quina

 

[Richard Lorenz]

Slightly off the subject, but with pot-metal carburetors you should use longer intake manifold cap screws than used with Zeniths. This will allow all of the threads in the flange of carburetors like the Tillotson to be engaged, and less likely to strip out.

 

[mike657894]

I did the trick with heating it. Used several hose clamps and put it in the BBQ grill Worked quite well.

i like this idea and will have to try it i can tell you two gaskets will fail just like one . mine runs good but has some big gaps

 

[Lycoming-8]

I had a Tilly that would warp at the manifold connection once it got warm in normal service. The car would not idle worth a darn and did not run well either. Tried double gaskets between the manifold and the top flange, and also tried a 3/8" thick piece of bakelite there as well. Several other plastic items also prooved to be of no use. Finally went looking for a good Zenith, and came up with a 'B' carb from a '34 delivery. It worked well and gave great service during the car's use as a daily driver for the next four years of college.

Realize that this is a bit different situation, but do not see what will keep the pot metal carb from warping again and possibly in different locations.

 

[jfreddie]

I clamped it together with hose clamps and put it in the oven at 350 for 45 minutes and to my amazement it flattened out together.
I wonder how to keep it from warping again. Maybe it's just something that periodically needs to be done if you run a Tilley.
I've got several Marvels but don't think I've had a warp issue with them.
Anyone else?

 

[Chuck Kuntz]

Get an old toaster oven at a yard sale for $2. Keeps the wife happy and is also useful for softening old brake lining material as well as fixing carb warpage.

 

[JD 1931]

I stay with original Zenith, some like the aftermarkets. You can band them and cook them or hammer them back, still old pot metal..

 

[Brian T]

I clamped it together with hose clamps and put it in the oven at 350 for 45 minutes and to my amazement it flattened out together.
I wonder how to keep it from warping again. Maybe it's just something that periodically needs to be done if you run a Tilley.
I've got several Marvels but don't think I've had a warp issue with them.
Anyone else?

Here is 1 of my Tillys with a heat shield and Phenolic spacer, it reduces the carburetor running temperature by 40*, the spacer stops the heat travelling down from the heat riser, reducing warping at the flange.