Zenith clone

[lolbell]

Has anyone used the USA made Zenith clone carburetor that’s available from Steiner? If so is it worth the $280. I don’t want use the cheap China clone but need a replacement. I know that they are easily rebuilt. Problem is a previous owner has been in it and tried to get one of short jets out and ruined the jet and bottom housing. I might get the housing usable but haven’t found a carb kit with the jets included.

[tst]

check with mcdonald carb for parts

[lolbell]

McDonald doesn’t have a kit with jets

[Jim Becker]

McDonald doesn’t have a kit with jets

They have jets available as individual parts. Different jet sizes make including them in kits impractical. Order whatever size jet your tractor needs.

[Don McCombs]

Call Morgan at 706-367-4179 and tell him what you need.

[lolbell]

Thanks guys. One more question. How do you know what size jets you would need. With the #’s off of the carb would McDonald be able to advise on which ones to use.

[Eugene]

Re: Original IH Carburetor Vs. Zenith Carb.
Postby Bob McCarty » Sun Oct 04, 2020 5:31 pm

The older IH carbs had a main jet that was .032 or .034. When the Zeniths were put on 154 LoBoys, the jet was .040. The Zenith became the replacement carb that the dealer's had, so IH apparently didn't think it mattered too much. I've never put both versions on the same Cub in order to ascertain the difference.

[Don McCombs]

There is likely a number stamped on the jet.

[lolbell]

The one that wasn’t damaged has a # on it. This one looks like someone tried to get it out with a chainsaw not sure the # is stil there.

[Jim Becker]

In a lot of cases, the jets sizes are listed in the repair manuals. So you just need to look them up in the right manual. Much of the discussion in this thread appears to be about Cub carburetors. But it is posted in the A/140 forum. Your previous posts have been about a 140. What tractor/carburetor are we dealing with here? What numbers can you find on the carburetor (possibly on an attached tag) or on the existing jets?

[Jim Becker]

I did a little looking. In the PDF manuals, under Service Manuals/Blue Ribbon Service Manuals you can find "GSS 1295J R2 ENGINE AND FUEL SYSTEM C-123 C-135 C-146 C-153 OCR", which applies if you are asking about your '76 140. Section 2 is 18 pages about your fuel system. Page 2-3 has the relevant details. Your carb should be 385608R91. If that all matches, the numbers are:
Main metering jet: 19-L
Idle jet: 11-S
Discharge nozzle: 45
Needle valve seat: 35
Note that these are flow check numbers, not references to specific dimensions.

These numbers are for the 385608R91 carburetor. If yours is a different number, these details may not apply.

[lolbell]

I did a little looking. In the PDF manuals, under Service Manuals/Blue Ribbon Service Manuals you can find "GSS 1295J R2 ENGINE AND FUEL SYSTEM C-123 C-135 C-146 C-153 OCR", which applies if you are asking about your '76 140. Section 2 is 18 pages about your fuel system. Page 2-3 has the relevant details. Your carb should be 385608R91. If that all matches, the numbers are:
Main metering jet: 19-L
Idle jet: 11-S
Discharge nozzle: 45
Needle valve seat: 35
Note that these are flow check numbers, not references to specific dimensions.

These numbers are for the 385608R91 carburetor. If yours is a different number, these details may not apply.

Sorry so late seeing this Mr Jim, been out of pocket. Yes this is the carb-385608R91 Zenith 12911. I talked to someone at McDonalds. He was a lot of help. As stated in the O/P if I can get the old one out of the housing it still may be to damaged to use. I have a machinist trying to get the old out and repair the threads where the new one will go.

[workinonit]

My last 140 had a brand new carb that was different than the Zenith and it's clones. All the linkages are the same but the bowl was different. After I got the tractor it ran fine. I even got the old carb which is a Bendix. It looks just like the Zenith on my other tractors. Well, I went to start it and no go. I actually thought it was the firing so i ordered a solid state kit. Put that on and discovered it wasn't getting gas. The valve on the float isn't passing any fuel to the bowl. I ordered a carb and just now finished installing it. That tractor runs like a new one. It it worth the money? That's an individual issue. For me it was if it keeps running like it is now.

[Eugene]

I even got the old carb which is a Bendix. It looks just like the Zenith on my other tractors.

Bendix carbs are Zenith carbs. The same carb.
Zenith carbs are easy to repair and parts are available.

[workinonit]

I need to get a couple of kits. I have 3 of them now and the clone I just bought. I also have the other carb the guy put on the latest 140 I have. That one is a head scratcher. I need to dig into it and see what has it stopped up.