VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 W1 Identification

How does one identify a proper W1 carberator for a 1932 Chevrolet. I see several rows of what look like Patent No. I have several W1 and purchased one that was rebuilt and said to be for a 1932 Chevrolet. It work but I'm not happy, it has a pause in it. I would also like to send one to someone in the VCCA for a rebuild. Would that rebuilder be JYD?

If you are not familiar with the different types of W1 carburetors then the only way you can tell which model you have is by the either the Chevrolet part number or the Carter Model number that is on the brass tag. However, because of numerous rebuilds in the past the brass tag is usually missing. Given that, then another way to identify the carburetor is by the number stamped on the base of the flange (some have the number and some don't). If the number is there, then you will need the Carter books to identify the carburetor by the flange number.

If there is no flange number or a brass tag, then you will need an experienced carburetor man to identify the carburetor for you. Such things he will look for will be the type of throttle shaft used, the location of the air/gas ratio screw, the type of choke valve used, the number on the metering rod, the type of float bowl cover used, and etc.

1932 carburetors are a one year only carburetor and they are hard to come by......and they are usually very expensive when found. Just because the carburetor came off of a 1932 Chevrolet doesn't mean that it is a 1932 Chevrolet carburetor.

Can you post several photos of the carburetor that you have on this forum? If so, we can probably identify it for you.

I would do what JYD said, once we see pictures then we can most likely pin it down with in a year or 2.

JYD: I will try to send you an email with a picture attached. I have not been able to follow how one puts on a picture to this forum . If this is not acceptable please would someone help me to attach on.

Sure, send me an email with the photo. Put "1932 Chevrolet Carburetor" in the subject heading.

Hey Cast Iron 32, you can send it to me and I can post it for you as well.

FYI, you need to post the pictures on your own server or web hosting service.

Well I looked at the current carb. ( rebuilt one) on the car and the brass tag is 259S. Vertical on carb throat body is PAT'D 12-5-16, 4-9-18 and 1858614, 1858615. As my digital camera is on a dear hunt with my son-in-law that's all I can give you for now. I have 3 others but they look newer. Any help as to this being the right one? JYD if this is the right one can you look at it? It has a flat spot or it bogs when you come away from a stop.

If it is a 259-S then it is a 1933 Chevrolet carburetor, not a 1932.

:( :( :(

JYD: Thanks, that would answer why I had to bend the linkage a little to get it to work. Now I will send photo of the original carb and others to try and see what to do next. Will it work OK if I had it rebuilt again? Would anyone have one to trade?

If you are talking about the throttle linkage, then you shouldn't need to bend it to fit on the 259-S carb. because the arm on the throttle shaft is the same as on the 1932 carburetor.

If the carb is indeed a '33 it should work fine on a '32. All you need to do is plug the vacuum port. That is if it has all the correct internal parts and they are in good condition and properly adjusted. It takes someone with experience and a test engine to properly rebuild a carb. Many rebuilders will tell you that bench (flow) testing is ok and some even better than test running. It may be ok for 90% of the carbs but then there is the 10% that for some reason don't run right even when rebuilt by and expert.

The VCCA has at least three rebuilders who can properly rebuild your carb. If you need a '32 carb then email me.

If you do a Chatter search about '32 carbs you will find some interesting information.

Quite a few prefer the 569-S carb. on the '32.