VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 replacement carburetor for a 1929 6 cylinder

I want to replace the W-1 Carter with a newer carburetor. My 1929 196ci 6 cylinder has a down draft W-1 Carter. But it leaks and is hard to find a replacement. I would like to go to a newer year or MFG. something newer than 1950. There must be a carburetor that will work in place of this old W-1. I am not concerned about being original equipment. I am concerned about my car catching on fire from leaking fuel.

I have not found CFM rating for the Up draft or the W-1 down draft Carburetor used on the 196 or 216 engines. Does anyone know?

VCCA #45321 Everett w.

Your engine is a 194 not a 196.

For a modern replacement carburetor you can use a Rochester Model B. Also, you can have your W1 rebuilt to correct the gas leaks.

You can have the W-1 rebuilt for a reasonable amount if you send it to one of a couple of VCCA member rebuilders. Others will charge a ridiculous fee.

If the carburetor is not matched to the displacement and horsepower of the engine, performance can suffer. 14.7:1 air to fuel is the optimum ratio. The flow rate through the carburetor and jet sizes control the ratio. The atomization of fuel depends on mixing and flow rate.

While it is possible to re-jet a carburetor it might not be possible to have the wrong size carburetor achieve the correct mixing and air to fuel ratio through out the rpm range.

The carburetor also needs to match the manifold you are using. I assume you have either a '32 or '33 Chevy manifold as they will bolt up and line up with the '29 head. Later manifolds can be used but they don't line up well and leaks are hard to keep eliminated.

All the above means that careful selection of a substitute carburetor is necessary to optimize performance.

I have 3 cars with W 1 carbs and none of them leak fuel, your carburetor just needs rebuilt. The chances are you need a new needle and seat or a new float.

Thank you for the information. Please tell where to look on Our VCCA Chat page to find vendors Members. Or send me a list as to where i can send my carburetor for rebuilding.

Now I understand matching air flow and fuel mixture must be right or the engine does not run. However The little 194 Chevrolet engine 3179 cc | 194.0 cu in. & the Plymouth Duster 3.2L 198cid has a slant 6. Is just a little bigger in size as my 1929 Chevrolet engine. When you compare the jet sizes in the 1925 to 1929 up draft to the 1931 w-1 down draft. The down draft used a # 55 to 70 drill and the W-1 used a 48 to 56 drill size if i read the charts right for the main jet. So there must be newer Carburetor out there that will work. With out a lot of reworking.

I do understand being original is nice but sometimes you have to modernize to make work stuff work. Thanks for the help one and all.
VCCA #45321 Everett w.

For Some reason this topic is running in both the 1929-32 forum and the 1933-36 forum.
This is the rochester model b which the J Y D mentioned. It is a rebuilt one , or as mentioned you could have your exiting W1 rebuilt , Chipper is one of the VCCA members you may want to talk to.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ROCH...arts_Accessories&hash=item3f077d524c

Im not one to tell anyone what to do, only what i think and if i may say, you should really consider one of these Pro's to rebuild your carb. It'l be just like factory and you'll wish you did stick with original equipment.

Im a bit of a *hidden* modern modifier if i do say so myself so i understand were your going, but i also know that sometimes modification can be way more extensive and costly than again, sticking with originality. Even if it is by 15, 20, 25, or 50 bucks. Say if you do find a rochester or modern equivilant, Thats good...But is it at the quality at which these guys can help you with? Chances are probably not. For example, Ya im a do-it yourselfer. I could build a car from scratch if i wanted too so a carburator? No problem...But there are times i wish i HAD left it to the pro's. And im very good at what i CAN do.

I just sent you a PM.