Swan Carburetor

[ModelTWoods]

Has any forum reader tried and run a Swan carburetor, notably a Swan A-1-F model? It is an updraft carburetor and would normally be used with a Swan combination intake/exhaust manifold, but I guess could be used with any updraft intake, even a Model A. Were they considered an economy or a performance carburetor?

[Scott_Conger]

I have a couple of Swans, along with their unique intake/exhaust manifold set-up. I have NOT run them, but by their design I would not categorize it as a performance carb. As for economy, I cannot say. Clever design variant of an air valve carb, which in my mind relegates it to a display curiosity.

The mixture lever which rides on the rich/lean ramp is pot metal and usually mostly missing. When I got my first one, I asked for dimensions for the missing lever and a forum member was extrordinarily generous and sent me one to help me replicate the lever. I made my new lever out of bronze due to my initial interest in trying it out (which I never did).

[ModelTWoods]

Thanks, Scott, You saved me from spending more money on something that I don't need.

[Scott_Conger]

the one on ebay is about $100 bucks which isn't bad for a brass carb, but a little spendy if you want to just nail it to a wall

[Bruce Compton]

Have either of you guys seen an "ECO" carb/manifold set-up? I had an untested one and sold it as a "wall-hanger" and it's now on ebay for around $895.00. They are a work of art but I have no idea how they ran. ps. Terry, I'll get your pics asap as I've had a medical issue. Bruce

[Scott_Conger]

Bruce

I've got one...an eBay special, with manifold. $110 bucks because I wanted it for the wall and it looked cool. It was marketed as an economy carburetor. I have no idea how it would perform and probably never will.

The one you repaired and is on sale now is wearing the shelf out at that price. I don't think it's worth that money. They may be rare, but rare does not always equate to valuable. Will just have to wait and see, I suppose.

There was one for sale here on the forum about 9 months ago for about $50 bucks by a very well known, veteran member...so take that for what it's worth...

[Bruce Compton]

Hi Scott: The guys that bought it from me have a ton of stuff on ebay and 99% of it is misrepresented and/or priced wrong. They have for example, a dirty old Kingston L4 listed as a "Kingston straight through NH Holley" and regular NH and Kingston carbs pictured upside-down (they don't know how they mount) and show the drain tap in the bowl calling it the "adjusting screw". Got to wonder how many innocent folks get caught. Thankfully they haven't found this site yet.

[Scott_Conger]

Bruce

I think the price reflects the fact that you can buy the "one year protection plan" or a "10 minute call with a certified repair technician"...would that be you??

That would be one hilarious (and useless) phone call...