Got my late Father's Speedster running again after 40 years of being apart. The engine was rebuilt in that time with a few go fast mods (it was pretty quick before...). Engine work done includes block was decked 0.060, high compression head, 060 over aluminum pistons and a reground high lift cam, chevy valves, magnets removed from the flywheel and balanced rotating assembly. Bosch front plate distributor and a Moore 2 speed rearend.
Currently running a stock intake and exhaust (minus the muffler) with Kingston L4
The problem is at speed it seems to be starving for fuel.
I have dreams of building exhaust header and running a side pipe.
What would you reccomend for a budget carb to get the performance this engine wants? ]
Carburetor recommendations
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Chuck Hale
Topic author - Posts: 4
- Joined: Wed Dec 04, 2019 1:00 am
- First Name: Chuck
- Last Name: Hale
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 23 T Speedster
- Location: Saratoga Springs UT
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big2bird
- Posts: 454
- Joined: Mon Sep 14, 2020 10:57 pm
- First Name: Jeffrey
- Last Name: Hausey
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Early 23 Touring
- Location: Anaheim, Ca.
- Board Member Since: 2020
Re: Carburetor recommendations
You just almost described my engine.
Get a Winfield MA and manifold.
You won't regret it.
Get a Winfield MA and manifold.
You won't regret it.
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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
Re: Carburetor recommendations
I would say an U&J, but they are hard to come by, as is the Winfield. Easier carbs to come buy, using an updraft manifold, are Stromberg OE-1 and Stromberg M-1 or M-2. The late STAN HOWE used to say that they would make a Model T, go "Like STINK" (meaning fast).
Last edited by ModelTWoods on Sun May 04, 2025 12:14 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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jsaylor
- Posts: 411
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 5:25 pm
- First Name: John
- Last Name: Saylor
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1921 Touring, 1927 Tudor
- Location: Citrus Heights, Ca
- Board Member Since: 1999
Re: Carburetor recommendations
Try a Holley Straight thru with a Scott Conger high flow float valve.
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George House
- Posts: 2814
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 5:25 pm
- First Name: George
- Last Name: House
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: ‘10 Maxwell AA, ‘11Hupp Model 20, Two 1914 Ford runabouts, 19 centerdoor, 25 C Cab,26 roadster
- Location: Northern Caldwell County TX
- MTFCA Life Member: YES
- Board Member Since: 1999
Re: Carburetor recommendations
I second John Saylor’s suggestion. I run 2 E&Js on two 1914s. Also a straight thru with Scott’s high flow valve on a ‘26 roadster….. about the same.
A Fine is a Tax for Doing Something Wrong….A Tax is a Fine for Doing Something RIGHT 
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BHarper
- Posts: 237
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:15 am
- First Name: Bill
- Last Name: Harper
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: '14 Touring, '20 TT Farm Truck, '24 TT Depot Hack, '24 Coupe, and a 1914 Metz Model 22 Torpedo Runabout
- Location: Keene, New Hampshire
- MTFCA Life Member: YES
- Board Member Since: 1999
Re: Carburetor recommendations
You suspect that inadequate fuel flow may be a contributing cause of reduced performance.
I suggest getting a Full Flow float valve for your L-4 from Scott Conger for pocket money before spending a moderate amount of money on a hard to find go fast carburetor.
Good luck with your project. Bill
I suggest getting a Full Flow float valve for your L-4 from Scott Conger for pocket money before spending a moderate amount of money on a hard to find go fast carburetor.
Good luck with your project. Bill
Bill Harper
Keene, New Hampshire
Keene, New Hampshire
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speedytinc
- Posts: 4729
- Joined: Fri Feb 12, 2021 12:24 pm
- First Name: john
- Last Name: karvaly
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 14/15 wide track roadster. 23 touring, 27 roadster pickup, 20ish rajo touring
- Location: orange, ca
- Board Member Since: 2020
Re: Carburetor recommendations
How stock do you want to stay? First loose the kingston. A model a carb will run great. But, there is the non stock manifold issue. Even a straight thru holly wont be enough carb. I cant speak to how other period correct carbs will work, but an A carb has worked for me on 2 different T's.
I run 2 NH's, side draft, on one T. That T does breath well enough.
I run 2 NH's, side draft, on one T. That T does breath well enough.
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Craig Leach
- Posts: 1906
- Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 12:22 am
- First Name: craig
- Last Name: leach
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1919 Firetruck/1922 Speedster
- Location: Laveen Az
Re: Carburetor recommendations
Hi Chuck,
Model A intake & exhaust are a popular approach. I like the Marvel/Schebler & Tillotson X carbs myself for there ease & simplicity. Setting up
choke & mixture adjustment is rather easy. There will be a little generator to carb space issue so The Tillotson X may be the better choice.
Craig.
Model A intake & exhaust are a popular approach. I like the Marvel/Schebler & Tillotson X carbs myself for there ease & simplicity. Setting up
choke & mixture adjustment is rather easy. There will be a little generator to carb space issue so The Tillotson X may be the better choice.
Craig.
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Dodge
- Posts: 29
- Joined: Tue Oct 29, 2024 3:05 am
- First Name: Dodge
- Last Name: Riedy
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915 Ford Center Door
- Location: San Anselmo
Re: Carburetor recommendations
I have two speedsters with tillitson X carbs they work great. One on a Model A Manifold and the other on a modified Model T manifold.
I can send pictures if you want. Good inexpensive fun.
I can send pictures if you want. Good inexpensive fun.
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babychadwick
- Posts: 653
- Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 7:03 am
- First Name: Chad
- Last Name: Azevedo
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Boattail speedster, 1912 Tourabout project, 1927 Speedster (build), 1929 Buick (future T tow car)
- Location: Henderson, TN
- Board Member Since: 1999
Re: Carburetor recommendations
Take a vaporizer intake manifold and invert it. You now have a shorter more direct run for a sided raft without the generator issue. Cut a steel plate at least 3/8 and drill your intake hole and countersink to machine bolts to hold it to the manifold. Now you can drill and tap for whichever sidedraft you choose. A stromberg works well. An H Winfield is an excellent option if you can find one.
Going with an updraft an aftermarket manifold will need to be found/made. Winfield M is a good option as they are the most affordable.
Going with an updraft an aftermarket manifold will need to be found/made. Winfield M is a good option as they are the most affordable.
"Those who fail to plan, plan to fail"
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speedytinc
- Posts: 4729
- Joined: Fri Feb 12, 2021 12:24 pm
- First Name: john
- Last Name: karvaly
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 14/15 wide track roadster. 23 touring, 27 roadster pickup, 20ish rajo touring
- Location: orange, ca
- Board Member Since: 2020
Re: Carburetor recommendations
I built a 4" extension to lower an A carb lower than a stock position T carb. (Not a concern on an "improved" model.) Don't have to worry about 5 gallon hills. Will clear a generator also.
A stock A intake manifold & carb sits to high requiring a fuel pump. Got tired of fuel pump failures.
A stock A intake manifold & carb sits to high requiring a fuel pump. Got tired of fuel pump failures.
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big2bird
- Posts: 454
- Joined: Mon Sep 14, 2020 10:57 pm
- First Name: Jeffrey
- Last Name: Hausey
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Early 23 Touring
- Location: Anaheim, Ca.
- Board Member Since: 2020
Re: Carburetor recommendations
Chaffin has manifolds. Not an issue.babychadwick wrote: ↑Mon May 05, 2025 7:27 am
Going with an updraft an aftermarket manifold will need to be found/made. Winfield M is a good option as they are the most affordable.
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babychadwick
- Posts: 653
- Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 7:03 am
- First Name: Chad
- Last Name: Azevedo
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Boattail speedster, 1912 Tourabout project, 1927 Speedster (build), 1929 Buick (future T tow car)
- Location: Henderson, TN
- Board Member Since: 1999
Re: Carburetor recommendations
When you mount a fuel pump if at all possible mount with the discharge up, an old sailors trick for lift pumps. Mounting in this orientation ensures fuel remains in the pump when left and results in a pump that seems to last forever.speedytinc wrote: ↑Mon May 05, 2025 8:28 amI built a 4" extension to lower an A carb lower than a stock position T carb. (Not a concern on an "improved" model.) Don't have to worry about 5 gallon hills. Will clear a generator also.
A stock A intake manifold & carb sits to high requiring a fuel pump. Got tired of fuel pump failures.
"Those who fail to plan, plan to fail"
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Chuck Hale
Topic author - Posts: 4
- Joined: Wed Dec 04, 2019 1:00 am
- First Name: Chuck
- Last Name: Hale
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 23 T Speedster
- Location: Saratoga Springs UT
Re: Carburetor recommendations
Sometimes a carburetor is on the shelf for a reason. Tonight we took the T out again and couldn't get above 25 mph without it sputtering.
Went home and grabbed a Holley NH carburetor from the pile of PARTS, cleaned it up replaced gaskets and threw it on the speedster. Now it's at least getting up and moving. (The local PD set up one of those trailers with a digital speed traps. Well we got up to 40 mph in a city block....)
So satisfying.
Went home and grabbed a Holley NH carburetor from the pile of PARTS, cleaned it up replaced gaskets and threw it on the speedster. Now it's at least getting up and moving. (The local PD set up one of those trailers with a digital speed traps. Well we got up to 40 mph in a city block....)
So satisfying.