MTFCA Forum

What would be a fair selling price for this - brass 1912 carburetor?

Thank you in advance!

Bob

Generally speaking, this is not an appraisal site. Best of luck with your sales.

A big plus is the swivelling piece for the fuel pipe hook-up. They are missing more often than not.

Allan from down under.

Jerry, thanks for your input. I am not looking for an appraisal per se'. I thought this carburator sells for $400. Am I too high or too low?

My intent is not to under or over sell what I believe is a valuable Model T asset.

I was saving this brass carburetor to include with the sale (someday) of my 1912 Touring. Thinking that would make it more valuable, along with the aluminum hogs head that also is not on the car, etc...

Now that I see the 12 tourings (in its current condition and not all original) are not going for the $30,000 price tag they once did, I am parting out the parts.

Allen, thanks for your input. I didn't know about the swivelling piece. I know nothing about this carburetor. I assume the swivel will help with the sale.

PS: respectfully, this actually is the site to ask fellow Model Ter's for help, even if the help is to price an item. PM's can be done if the moderator prefers.

No comments please. We all have our own opinions. Thank you!

If it’s in good condition with minimal wear, a good float, 400 would be a fair market price. Ones in rough shape sell for 250 or so.

$400 is high. The inner workings may not even be there. Assuming they are there, and in tact, the value imho would be about 200 to 250. If restored by a recognized authority, then 400 would be a good buy.

Ed and Richard, that was what I was looking for. Thank you! I will take it apart and see what it looks like and go from their. Regards, Bob

Bob

from the looks of it, no butchery or botchery has taken place, as the screw heads look pristine. If I was a buyer, I'd prefer that no screwdriver hit the thing in this century. If a buyer must know what it looks inside, use a parallel-ground gunsmith screwdriver to remove the 3 top screws to remove the top. Don't use a wood screw screwdriver laying on the bench as the wedge-shaped tip will burr the heads and they will no longer be pristine.

Here's what's inside:
a venturi which often needs replacing
a venturi retaining ring
an idle pickup tube
a jet which no one ever bothers to remove to clean passages below it
a float
a float valve
a gasket or two

Some of these items can be purchased commercially, some can be robbed from very common carbs, and some need to be custom made. If the purchaser intends to try to run the carb as-is, well, good luck to them. If the purchaser knows what they're doing and intends to restore it before using it, then it really doesn't matter a whole heck of a lot.

The most important part is that no one has tried to pry it apart, the bowl isn't cracked (right?) and externally it is complete. It looks very nice. Good luck with the sale

I took the carb apart. The screws came off without a screwdriver because the person before me cleaned it up and polished it.

I hear what you all are saying so I am going to take to Hershey and ask for a professional appraisal.

It might be worth $400 or it might be worth at least $175?

Thanks again!

Bob

Thank you Scot for the informative explanation!