Swan Carburetor

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ModelTWoods
Posts: 1419
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 10:53 am
First Name: Terry
Last Name: Woods
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1927 Model T coupe, 1926 4 door sedan
Location: Cibolo (San Antonio), TX

Swan Carburetor

Post by ModelTWoods » Fri Nov 05, 2021 4:24 pm

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
Posts: 6523
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:18 am
First Name: Scott
Last Name: Conger
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1919
Location: not near anywhere, WY
Board Member Since: 2005

Re: Swan Carburetor

Post by Scott_Conger » Fri Nov 05, 2021 5:38 pm

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).
Scott Conger

Tyranny under the guise of law is still Tyranny

NH Full Flow Float Valves™
Obsolete carburetor parts manufactured


Topic author
ModelTWoods
Posts: 1419
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 10:53 am
First Name: Terry
Last Name: Woods
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1927 Model T coupe, 1926 4 door sedan
Location: Cibolo (San Antonio), TX

Re: Swan Carburetor

Post by ModelTWoods » Sat Nov 06, 2021 5:34 pm

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


Scott_Conger
Posts: 6523
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:18 am
First Name: Scott
Last Name: Conger
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1919
Location: not near anywhere, WY
Board Member Since: 2005

Re: Swan Carburetor

Post by Scott_Conger » Sat Nov 06, 2021 6:18 pm

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 :D
Scott Conger

Tyranny under the guise of law is still Tyranny

NH Full Flow Float Valves™
Obsolete carburetor parts manufactured


Bruce Compton
Posts: 665
Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2019 11:23 am
First Name: Bruce
Last Name: Compton
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1921 Coupe, 1925 Coupe
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Re: Swan Carburetor

Post by Bruce Compton » Thu Nov 11, 2021 8:37 am

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
Posts: 6523
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:18 am
First Name: Scott
Last Name: Conger
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1919
Location: not near anywhere, WY
Board Member Since: 2005

Re: Swan Carburetor

Post by Scott_Conger » Thu Nov 11, 2021 9:29 am

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...
Scott Conger

Tyranny under the guise of law is still Tyranny

NH Full Flow Float Valves™
Obsolete carburetor parts manufactured


Bruce Compton
Posts: 665
Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2019 11:23 am
First Name: Bruce
Last Name: Compton
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1921 Coupe, 1925 Coupe
Location: Kemptville

Re: Swan Carburetor

Post by Bruce Compton » Thu Nov 11, 2021 12:25 pm

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
Posts: 6523
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:18 am
First Name: Scott
Last Name: Conger
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1919
Location: not near anywhere, WY
Board Member Since: 2005

Re: Swan Carburetor

Post by Scott_Conger » Thu Nov 11, 2021 1:32 pm

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?? :lol:

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

Tyranny under the guise of law is still Tyranny

NH Full Flow Float Valves™
Obsolete carburetor parts manufactured

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