The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Carter Carbs, W-1 vs. YF

I'm getting an engine ready for my 1937 half-ton (going with the original 216, etc.). I've got two carbs to chose from, a Carter W-1 that came with the truck and a YF model 964S that came on the 37 engine I plan to use.

What is the better carb to use?

What are the major differences between the W-1 and YF?

I've worked on Rochester carbs for my 53 Chevy sedan and 59 1-ton and am not familiar with the pros/cons of the Carters.

I dunno about the YF, but I had good luck with the Carter W-1 on my 1-ton.

The W-1 would be original for your truck. I believe that the YF was a replacement carburetor. If your concerned about being correct you may want to check the numbers on the W-1 to see if its the correct '37 unit.

Carter produced 128 different models of the W-1 carburetor, many of them used by Chevrolet (1932-1949). The 1937 and newer are very good units.

The YF came later (1950), and was slightly more technilogically advanced.

The major difference as important to the enthusiast (thanks to ethanol), is the composition of the accelerator pumps. The W-1 pump is leather (totally impervious to ethanol). The YF uses a neopreme diaphragm, which holds up well in daily drivers, but tends to crack over time for vehicles which are not driven often. For a daily driver (or a vehicle for which the owner can acquire genuine gasoline) the YF remains an excellent choice.

Jon.

Thanks for the info. What number on the W-1 would indicate the year, etc.?

Also, the W-1 seems to be more complicated in makeup, with the spring/hinged choke plate and other moveable parts. Any special things to look out for when rebuilding?

Don't loose any of the little hair-clip springs. You wouldn't believe how hard they are to find, even if you are working at the kitchen table!

You can read through the pertinent pages here:

http://old-carburetors.com/Chevy.htm

Think you will have better luck finding a W-1 to fit your 216 then a YF. There are a lot of YF's out there. But me myself have ran across more W-1 for 216 then YF

I like the W-1. The YF has a flimsy diaphram in it that you have to be real careful with when assembling. The W-1 is very reliable. We have one on my partners 36 fuel truck that had set for 30 years. The carb still works good. I said "we better go through the carb" & he said "what for".
The only thing about the W-1 is that kits arn't avail. through the local part stores but specialty stores have them like Carbking.

I would go for the W1 I put one on my 52-216 and it had good gas milage ,good starting ,just a real dependable carb and it looks like it belongs on the engine.


Pete

That's good info, but where is the model number stamped on the W-1? Not that it really matters, but just curious since the Carter info listed models and years.

What was the difference between economy and a standard W-1?

Kerwin - this may help:

http://www.thecarburetorshop.com/CarterChevroletW1.htm

Jon.