The Zenith Carb gave me some trouble initially. I bought in on Ebay as a rebuilt (not) for $140.00. It was cleaned and painted and that’s about it. The float wasn’t even attached. I attached what was supposed to be attached, aligned the float level and checked the jets. Installed on Molly and when turned the fuel on, it leaked all over the place. Took it off and apart, ordered a new float valve and gasket kit. Parts arrive and installed, put Carb back on Molly. Fuel didn’t leak as before but did leak somewhat, after sitting 15 minutes with the fuel valve on, even with the new float valve. Took the Carb off and apart again. Rinsed the float valve with lacquer thinner and put it all together (tightly) and back on Molly. That stopped the leaking. Took Molly for a test drive and when stopping or turning, the engine would die. Back to the garage. Took the Carb off and apart again, and shimmed the Main jet and Cap jet to a higher tip elevation in the venturi and in the middle of the venturi curve. It did the trick.
Now for the driving difference;
The weber of course is more responsive and gives the engine a little more “umph”. I also could adjust the idle speed lower than with the Zenith.
With the Weber, I could sustain a highway speed of 45 – 50 MPH. I could push it to 55 MPH but there’s too much gear noise, so 45-48 is the speed I drove her.
With the Zenith 2 Carb, low end was “almost” as good as the Weber, with the exception of climbing hills and that I needed to run a higher idle speed to keep her from stalling when stopping. Panic breaking would definitely stall her at any idle speed. On the highway it’s a total different story. It’s a slower acceleration with the Zenith and she topped out at 46 MPH on the flats. That’s with the pedal to the metal. I don’t get any popping or backfiring with this Zenith, like I remember with the zenith I had two years ago prior to the Weber Carb.
The one negative about the Weber Carb, was the carbon buildup on the plugs (and in the cylinders) and so I eventually ran W20 Champion plugs which are the hottest plugs you can get for that engine.
Hope you enjoyed this little article about the facts of life?
. Pulling heavy loads up 9-12% grades I would need to crank the main jet open sometimes 2 turns to get the torque up so I didnt have to downshift and become perpetually stuck in that gear. and with hi speed rear, I got her up to 50 on a 1% grade, WOT.(No load) 