Hi all, I have 3 carbs for my "35 Chevy Standard Coach". One came on the original engine that came with the car. One came from another engine I got. The other came in a box of stuff from a guy making a street rod of his 35. They are all similar but have some differences. They are all Carter. Did they use different carbs? I have taken quite a few pics and I can Email them to you for identification. Too many to post here, plus I don't know how. Anyone that knows carbs that would like to help, please send an email to: peter.venezia@gmail.com and I can send them to you. Looking for which one is original, which one might be an upgrade, which one might be the best, etc. Thank you very much for your help.
They are all Carter. Did they use different carbs?
Chevrolet used many, many different Carter W1 carburetors between 1932 and 1949. In the 1935 model year there were three different Carter W1 carburetors used: 284-S, 321-S (early) and 319-S (late).
Jon's site has a ton of excellent information on carburetors of a multitude of types and applications. He is one of the most knowledgeable carburetor guys on the planet. In many cases the only way to determine the application of a W-1 is to take it apart and determine the parts used. Over the ~80 years since manufactured parts can be changed to ones that are not matched to the body, application or other parts. Don't expect to find the stamped bottom number. Despite what is written in Carter literature I have found most numbers were never stamped. Even if present it doesn't mean the carburetor remains as manufactured.
Despite what is written in Carter literature I have found most numbers were never stamped.
I have found the same to be true as well. When I rebuilt W1 carburetors years ago I only found the flange number (which helped to identify the model of Carter carburetor) stamped on just a very few carburetors. The majority of the W1 carburetors didn't have a flange number.
Most of the W-1 flanges WERE originally stamped, HOWEVER:
50 plus years ago, it was common practice for the commercial rebuilders to surface the mounting flange to make certain it was true. The better rebuilders used a surfacing mill, but some of the others used a large grinding stone. As the code stamp was not deep, either of these methods would either completely remove the stamp, or make it virtually impossible to see/read.
I have found many of the W-1's (also other Carters) missing the flange stamp but showing evidence of surface grinding.
And I would certainly agree that today, few still exist with stampings. More exist with a stamped single letter (rebuilders stamp) than with the original Carter code stamp.
I made it a point when restoring these units, to restore the flange stamp for future enthusiasts.
The W-1 (and the elusive W-2) have always been among my favorite single barrel carbs.
As Chip mentioned above, just because you find a flange stamp is no guarantee that a previous rebuilder did not use different parts. The same thing is true if the tag is present.
The only certain method of positively identifying one is by use of the original literature mentioned by Chip.
I am uncertain of what Chevrolet literature exists, but the original maroon Carter manuals show up often on ebay. Since these were loose-leaf, often the needed pages are missing. Important to quiz the seller as to the content.
I tried to summarize the casting information and applications on my site (link mentioned above by Bill).
And to the question posed by the OP as to what is best:
Assuming NOT interested in absolute authenticity, then:
1932-1936 - Carter 569s 1937-1940 - Carter 420s 1941-1949 - Carter 574s OR Carter 684s
The 684s is technologically slightly superior to the 574s HOWEVER parts are virtually non-existent and extremely expensive. Many opt to use the 574s for the 1941~1949 applications.
Over the years, we have sold the W-1's to replace inferior carbs on other makes of vehicle. We even sold a pair to put on a V-12 Cadillac! These are really good carbs. Too bad about the "divorce" of Carter and Chevrolet because GM owned Rochester.
Peter, A correct '35 carb should have a straight throttle lever. Carbs for '37(?) and later had an offset throttle lever. This would be one way to eliminate a carb as it is common to find the later version installed on an early application.
I have found several later version W1 carburetors with the "dog leg" throttle arm that had the throttle shaft and arm replaced with the early version straight throttle arm and shaft so that they could be installed on the 1932-36 Chevrolets.
It's not necessary to change the arm but if you want to retain a more original appearance on your early model, it can be done. When I performed this operation on a carb for my '36 truck, I found the bore to be larger in the later carb. I had to widen the flat area on the shaft to make room for the bigger throttle plate.
There is a tag and the number is 837341. There is also a number on the bottom of the carb where it mounts to the manifold. the number is 3. I have another carb with a tag and the number is 569S. What are these numbers?
