The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Daytona Universal Carburetor

I know this has been discussed before, but I want to share my experience with the Daytona adjustable main jet universal carburetor. It was a total waste of money. Maybe I got a bad one but it under performed. I liked the idea of having an adjustable main jet but it's a high-priced piece of junk. I couldn't find the sweet spot. My engine was sluggish under power and idled rough. I check for a vacuum leak. Put a new fuel filter in when I installed it but no matter I what I did I couldn't get the fuel /air mixture to where my 235 was happy. I got tired of scratching my head trying to figure it out, so I put my Carter YF back on. She runs like a champ again now. Maybe someone on the forum has had a better experience than me but I want to raise a red flag to hopefully prevent someone else from wasting close to $400.

George

Your experience is pretty typical. The Daytona is a "one size fits none" and the adjustable main jet is a giant leap backwards in technology to the 1930s or before. The main jet is only one of several functions a properly engineered carburetor has, and each system, such as the accelerator pump, the power enrichment system, the idle system, and the transition from idle to part throttle must be tailored to a specific engine, and even the rear end ratio in most cases. A "universal" carburetor is a compromise of all those systems at best, and a gas-guzzling disaster at worst. Would you buy a pair of shoes that "almost" fits- - - -and then go on a 10 mile hike?
Jerry

Good point. Lesson learned.

George,

Very disappointed to hear that you have had a bad experience with your Daytona carburetor. Extra disappointed because I have one still in the box on my workbench that I will be installing very soon. (It has been too here too long now to return it.)

There is a thread on this forum by ClassicsR4Me that discusses his experience with the Daytona UN2 carb. He was having a positive experience with it, as had most of others who commented on his thread.

I decided to go with Daytona because of the rarity of cost of the Carter YF - and because I live at 7150ft above sea level.

I will proceed with installing it on my project as I have it on hand and have already paid for it.

I understand your reasoning. I live in Texas at 500 ft elevation but also have a small house in the mountains of New Mexico that is 7500 feet above sea level. That's what attracted me to the Daytona. I hope yours works out for you. I can't with good conscious even think about trying to sell mine on FB Market Place or Craig's list. It's a shop ornament now.

George

Nick - I wish you good luck.

One of the really good points of most Carter carbs, including the YF, is the metering rod technology. You can acquire different metering rods to recalibrate the main metering circuit for altitude.

In general, Carter calibrations as delivered:

Standard rod - sea level to 4000 feet
One size lean rod - 4001 to 6000 feet
Two size lean rod - 6001 to 7000 feet

As to the "universal" carburetor, one came out decades ago, called the Fish (I always thought it aptly named). If you read the testimonials, the Fish got 198 MPG on a 6 cylinder Chevy and 79 MPG on a Chrysler motor home! It also was sufficiently powerful to win a number of NASCAR races (this it did, if there was no fuel limit). I have one here that someone tried on a Packard small eight with predictable, but less than desirable results.

My mentor in the carburetor business once did a 1000 mile comparison test with a Fish and a stock carb on a 1964 Ford station wagon with a 223. The Fish came out in second place !

At least once a week, we get a call from someone wanting something for one of the newer universals. I simply suggest they go back to the manufacturer, we will never make parts for one. We have also had a few sent to us for "work". These are returned as is COD to the sender.

But you have one; try it. You might be one of the lucky ones. And if you are not one of the lucky ones; perhaps you raise a garden and have a rabbit problem. If you have a strong arm your universal can still be useful !

Jon

The Fish carburetor was really good at one thing- - - - -reinforcing P.T. Barnum's comment about "suckers"! Or W.C. Fields' advice- - - -"Never give a sucker an even break!"
Jerry

After researching it looks like the Daytona Universal isn't calibrated for the strong vacuum demand of the 235. (In my case). A fixed power circuit is not a good replacement for a vacuum-controlled power piston. It might work fine on a small displacement inline 4, like a Jeep F-134 or even on a smaller inline 6 with a mild vacuum drop under load. I'm not an expert so this isn't gospel. I just wanted to clarify that the carburetor isn't junk it's just not a good fit for the stovebolts.

I might be interested in the Daytona. Let me know if you still have it.

Hey texczech, PM sent.