Seems like every week or so, there is another thread about a stovebolter wanting a different carburetor. So decided to start a new thread that would cover my recommendations for the Chevrolet 216, 235, and 261 engines.
Before I start, for those who are looking for the cheapest paperweight with a fuel inlet, read no further as this thread is not for you. I believe in quality, and doing the job ONCE ONLY. As an illustration to this, my shop truck (a 450 HP 390 CID non-stovebolt with two 625 CFM Carter AFB's running solid linkage), a brand that is the same as the last name of an older country music singer from Tennessee, gets 22 MPG at 70 MPH, and the carburetors, while somewhat fuel stained from todays fuel, have been untouched since installation 21 years ago. I don't have time to do things over, and I detest low efficiency.
So, caviat over, allow me to proceed.
I will give my quality rating to each brand/type of carburetor on a scale of 1 (awful) to 10 (wonderful). Others might assign different values, but these are mine. It is important to note that I am talking about carburetor types. Not all carburetors of any type are good for the same engine. Here, the enthusiast needs to do his/her homework.
I have previously posted usage charts for the Carter W-1, and YF on these forums - search.
Chevrolet 216:
Carter, Stromberg, and Zenith ALL made bolt-on aftermarket carburetors for the 216 of all years, some with manual chokes, some with automatic chokes.
Carter W-1 (those produced in 1939 and 1940 - 8
Carter W-1 (those produced from 1941~1948) - 8.5 (the 1949 would be an 8.5 except for the availability of parts, which relegates it to a 6).
Carter YF (those burning real gasoline) - 9
Carter YF (those trying to burn ethanol diluted fuel) - 8
Stromberg BXO, BXV, BXUV - 9
Zenith 28, 228 - 9
Chevrolet 235
Carter YF (those burning real gasoline) - 9
Carter YF (those trying to burn ethanol diluted fuel) - 8
Stromberg AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT UNIVERSAL BXO, BXV, BXUV - 9
Zenith AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT UNIVERSAL 28, 228 - 9
Chevrolet 261
Carter made no direct replacement carb for the 261, the YF from the late 60's 250 works well - 8/9
Stromberg AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT UNIVERSAL BXO, BXV, BXUV - 9
Zenith AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT UNIVERSAL 28, 228 - 9
All of the above would be for single carb application, and are the ONLY carbs I would personally recommend (again, others will have different opinions)
What would I personally use if I had a stovebolt?
To start with, all carburetors with automatic chokes would automatically be eliminated from consideration!
216 - Carter W-1 (1932-1936 569s, 1937-1940 420s, 1941-and newer 483s, 574s, or 684s) - I make the parts for the 684s, so it fits for me, but not recommended for others.
235 - Lazy answer Carter YF, Stromberg BX series, Zenith 228 series (this would be a stop-gap until the real answer below could be fitted).
235 - Real answer three sidedraft type YH carbs, running solid linkage, and modify the engine compartment to fit
261 - Lazy answer Stromberg BX series, Zenith 228 series (this would be a stop-gap until the real answer below could be fitted).
261 - Real answer three sidedraft type YH carbs, running solid linkage, and modify the engine compartment to fit.
Now, on doing one's homework:
The 216 uses an S.A.E. size 2 flange (2 11/16 inch center-center mounting bolt distance). The equivalent Stromberg model would end in 2 (e.g. BXV-2). The equivalent Zenith model would end in 10 (e.g. 228AV-10.
Both the 235 and 261 use S.A.E. size 3 flange (2 15/16 inch center-center bolt distance). The equivalent Stromberg model would end in 3 (e.g. BXV-3). The equivalent Zenith model could end in 11 or 12 (e.g. 228AV-11, 228BV-12). The difference between the Zenith A and B refers to the orientation of the choke shaft to the throttle shaft.
The Carter and Stromberg carburetor come in different venturii sizes with CAST-IN venturii. In other words, the venturii may not be removed and changed. If you want a different venturi size, start with a different carburetor. The Zenith carbs come with removable venturii. ADVICE: unless you are a carburetor guru, DON'T change the venturi, start with a different carburetor.
Carter, Stromberg, and Zenith ALL published books (some easier to find than others) that post the venturi diameter for a specific tag number. If a list of only tag numbers and venturii sizes exists, I have yet to see it; and while, if I wanted to dedicate several months to the project, I could publish one, I won't!!!!!
The idea is to first determine which brand you wish to use, then pick one with the correct mounting flange, and then pick one with the correctly sized internal venturi. The Rochester documentation is nowhere nearly so complete as Carter, Stromberg, or Zenith; so you may have to first disassemble the Rochester to measure the internal venturi diameter.
Identification of the carburetors
While clean non-tagged Rochesters make good doorstops, Carter, Stromberg, and Zenith can generally be identified.
Carter W-1 (tagged) but if the tag is missing, try this link:
http://www.thecarburetorshop.com/CarterChevroletW1.htmCarter YF carburetors (virtually all) have the identification number (3 or 4 digits, followed by the letter S) STAMPED (NOT a raised number) into the float bowl (center section).
Stromberg carburetors (virtually all of the above listed models) will have the number STAMPED looking straight down on the bowl cover, just above the fuel inlet.
Zenith carburetors use a riveted round tag. Most rebuilders are too lazy to use a hammer and chisel to remove the tag.
I will attempt to answer GENERAL questions about the above. General questions do not include "What is the venturi size on a Zenith 11147?", or similar. Questions such as that are for the reader to determine.
And yes, I am quite aware of other "carburetors", before you ask, go back to the top and read my second paragraph.
EDIT: while this list has been published elsewhere on these forums, adding the Chevrolet YF list to this thread to make it as comprehensive as possible:
http://www.thecarburetorshop.com/Carter_YF_Chevrolet.htmEDIT: Here is a complete listing of the Stromberg carbs sold exclusively for Chevrolet:
http://www.thecarburetorshop.com/Stromberg_Chevrolet_carburetors.htmThe Stromberg list does NOT include general aftermarket universal replacement carbs. The number following the type on the Strombergs is the S.A.E. flange size.
Jon.
