Click on image for the lowdown. 
====
| | | Forums66 Topics128,060 Posts1,055,836 Members48,427 | | Most Online14,466 Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!
| | THANKS!
For helping keep this great
old truck web site
on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down with Ads! Again, thanks! | | | | Joined: Sep 2002 Posts: 15 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Sep 2002 Posts: 15 | So... my little 270 has a zenith. What's a decent carter or Rochester carb that can be used? One mechanic said a Carter Y. I noticed the Carter has the closest set up style as the Zenith. Thanks.
now...where did that part go??
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2014 Posts: 892 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2014 Posts: 892 | You can send your take-off Zenith to me. I'll pay the postage. 1951 3800 1-ton"Earning its keep from the get-go"In the DITY Gallery1962 261 (w/cam, Fenton headers, 2 carbs, MSD ign.), SM420 & Brown-Lipe 6231A 3spd aux. trans, stock axles & brakes. Owned since 1971. | | | | | Joined: Mar 2014 Posts: 4,482 Moderator, Electrical Bay | | Moderator, Electrical Bay Joined: Mar 2014 Posts: 4,482 | Well, there are Carter YF models made for the Ford 300 that might be good. The Carter YF3211S was the final carburetor made for the 235 and is a very good one (auto choke) and possibly the other Jon (CarbKing) may show up with some other suggestions. Honestly, your Zenith might be the best option, however. I'll bet large that Jon (CarbKing) has a rebuild kit for it and can help you get it back on the right path. You don't want a Rochester for it. Really hard to find one made for the 261 that hasn't been buggered like crazy and the Rochesters had some fundamental flaws that with today's gas make it worse.
~ Jon 1952 1/2 ton with 1959 235 | T5 with 3.07 rear end
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2011 Posts: 1,453 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Sep 2011 Posts: 1,453 | GMC used Zenith carbs for a reason, they were better than the Rochester model 'B' built by G.M. The model 'B' that would be best: '63 - '67 from a 292. There is one that comes up on Portland cl from time to time, has a tag, comes with manifolds. I inquired about it awhile back, would only sell as unit, I didn't want it bad enough pay shipping.
BC 1960 Chevy C10 driver 261 T5 4.10 dana 44 power loc 1949 GMC 250 project in waiting 1960 C60 pasture art Retired GM dealer tech. 1980 - 2022 | | | | | Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 1,705 back yard wrench turner | | back yard wrench turner Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 1,705 | I converted to a Weber 32/38 in place of the Zenith on my 270. It runs decent but will stumble at higher rpms. I think the fuel pump can't keep up at the higher revs. Wayne1938 1-Ton Farm TruckStovebolt Gallery Forums1989 Silverado 1996 Mustang GT convertible When I die, I hope she doesn't sell everything for what I told her I paid for it! | | | | | Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 4,095 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 4,095 |
Ron, The Computer Greek I love therefore I am.1954 3100 Chevy truckIn the Gallery 2017 Buick Encore See more pix1960 MGA Roadster Sold 7/18/2017
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 1,660 Curmudgeon | | Curmudgeon Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 1,660 | We need more information...please.
For goodness sake if you have or had an original running engine and Hydramatic transmission, don't make changes now. It's like putting the cart before the horse. The absolute best carburetor is the one that came with the engine-transmission combination. I skimmed your past postings and didn't see anything about what you have other that a 1954 GMC plus your handle includes Hydramatic. I hope you took pictures and made notes of the shifter and throttle linkages before you pulled the engine. It will be agonizing to get it right again. Very few here can help guide you to get "Humpty-Dumpty" back together again and working correctly. If you plan to use another type transmission then please forgive my panic-ranting.
"Adding CFM to a truck will only help at engine speeds you don't want to use." "I found there was nothing to gain beyond 400 CFM." | | | | | Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 2,765 Carburetion specialist | | Carburetion specialist Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 2,765 | If you have an automatic transmission; would be best to rebuild the original Zenith (opinion).
Jon Good carburetion is fuelish hot airThe most expensive carburetor is the wrong one you attempt to modify. If you truly believe "one size fits all," try walking a mile in your spouse's shoes!The Carburetor Shop | | |
| |