VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1912-1928 Carter RAKXO good alternative

It took a long time but about a month ago I got the 28 to her new home. Unfortunately I won't be able to work on her for the next 6 months, because of a deployment. So right now I'm on a fact/part finding mission. I believe my father bought the car in the current configuration, with the flipped around intake and the single barrel down draft carb. I though would like to put in back in a more original look/state, and since the Carter RAKXO carburetors are rare, and if found expensive. I'd like to know the communities thoughts on a good updraft alternative. The ideal carb for me would be one that performs as well or better than the original, is able to be connected to the steering wheel throttle, and has modern gaskets available so it will be tolerant of current pump fuels.

Any information is greatly appreciated.

Michael

Hi Michael, you should be able to find a good RAKX-0 core for $50-100 range. Rebuilding would be $400-500 from a couple of knowledgeable VCCA members. They may even have ready rebuilt carbs available. Here's hoping someone who can help chimes in.
All the best.

Good Carter RAKX-0 carburetor cores are not that easy to find. 80+% that are for sale have some defect. Most have been corroded with water standing in them for an extended period of time. That often relegates them to parts only status. If the casting is okay and most of the parts are usable then the cost should be less than $ 200 for a rebuild. If some of the parts are not usable then the cost can exceed $ 500. I have rebuilt over 100 (maybe over 200 but who's counting) of them over then past 15+ years.

I've got a Zenith 267 on my '28, the version I have has extended spindle for hand throttle, had to make an adapter flange but it runs just fine, simple and easy to adjust to suit your motor:

http://www.carburetor-parts.com/Zenith-267-Carburetor_ep_607.html

Not that it's of any use to the more sensible amongst us, but my Chevy reached 61 mph (GPS Speedo) for a short while with this carb fitted.

I keep seeing them at flea markets. Last one I saw was $15. Depends where you look.

As with any object if the seller doesn't know what it fits and its current value the asking price is more likely either too low or too HIGH. I again caution to inspect them very carefully. Most have enough damage over the years to render them scrap. I probably have 40 cores and only a few are considered rebuildable with today's economics. When the rebuildable cores are depleted then repair of the castings may be an option but at a much higher cost.

Chipper, I have a core, sloppy spindle, broken butterfly screw, fuel inlet not good, what should I look for to see if it's re-usable?

Check the cast iron body very closely for corrosion, stripped threads or broken parts. The other parts are available. Some are NOS, NORS, reproduced, replacement or good used.

Thanks everyone for sharing. These are all great tips, it would neat if I could find an original/rebuild RAKX-O but with the state of the car the way it is I'd rather spend the limited funds on other things. For instance rebuilding the brakes. :-)

The two major issues with the Carter RAKX-0 are: (1) defective casting in the area of the idle jet (a.k.a. low speed jet), and (2) defective float.

The casting actually erodes around the jet. We have had them welded by a professional (welding is NOT in my skill set), and then remachined the seating surface. This is NOT an inexpensive repair.

The float for the 1928 is different from the 1927, and much different from the much more common 1929~1931.

We have reproduced most of the other components, but are out of reproduction bowls, and have no plans to do another run.

Carburetors commonly used for replacement (all of these require a cross-flange adapter)

Good - modern Zenith
Better - Carter BB-1 tag number 245s or 245sd
Best - Stromberg SF-1 or SFM-1

Also occasionally seen, but I won't sell them - Tillotson JR series.

Jon.

What's wrong with Tillotson JR series carbs?

Actually, they do have two purposes:

(1) Many of them have cast iron throttle bodies. If one takes two of the JR series, and places them in a power hacksaw between the flange and the throttle plate and saws off the flange; then the two flanges may be welded together to make an adapter to use for one of the better carbs mentioned earlier in this post.

(2) The remains make good ditch filler. This was how we got rid of the ones we bought with large lots of other carburetors.

There really is a serious answer to your question (many actually), but I don't type as well as I once did, and a complete answer would take a while.

If you like them, by all means, use them.

Jon.

Hi, do you know if any Stromberg FS-1 would work on a 1928 with the 4 cylinder 171 c.i. motor, or are there multiple variations of the FS-1 and some that would not work for a 1928?

Wayne

There is a modern alternative that some other people say works well. Zenith is making a replacement updraft for some of the smaller displacement engines. You might take a look to see if one would be something that would work for you.

Art

FYI, the carb that came with Lurch's 1928 engine in 1995 was an updraft Stromberg L-1 and it worked well. See the pics below. It was hooked up to the regular gas pedal and the throttle lever on the steering column. According to The Carburetor Shop's website, this carb was produced from 1915-1919. Here is the referenced page: Stromberg Carb model info

When I rebuilt the engine in 2017, I wanted to get this carb rebuilt, but found nobody to do the job. The one guy I found that worked on these was in the process of retiring. I did manage to buy a jet replacement kit for it. ;-) I decided to go back to original and a VERY SPECIAL buddy had a viable RAKX-O which he sold to me. So for the last four years, Lurch has been breathing as original designed.

BTW, if anyone is interested in my old Stromberg carb, I'd be happy to sell it along with its cross-flange adapter.

Cheers, Dean

Did you ever replace the jets in the Stromberg and is it in working condition?

Yes I've read a few posts from guys that had Zenith carbs and were happy with them.

Hi,

Sorry I didn't get back to this thread until now.

No, I did not replace the jets in the Stromberg because I found the correct Carter carb. The Stromberg was working when I took it off Lurch's engine and it's been sitting in a box ever since. If anyone is interested in this carb, send me a PM.

To get back to the original question (alternative for RAKX-0), I found a discusion on Chevy Talk that mentions some options. Here's the URL: https://www.chevytalk.org/fusionbb/showpost.php?post/1335425/

Cheers, Dean

The new Zeniths (actually, we have been selling these Zeniths for 40 + years! They are new only in that they are unused, definitely not new to the hobby) CAN be an excellent alternative, depending on certain conditions, and the knowledge of the vendor.

(1) The Universal Zeniths (there are about 15 different, you need the correct one) have an adjustable idle, and an adjustable main, but NO power circuit. Works very well is reasonably flat terrain; MAY not work as well as desired in hilly terrain.

(2) The Universal Zeniths come from Zenith expecting a pressure fuel pump pushing approximately 3 psi. If one is still using gravity feed to the carburetor, then the Zenith must be modified.

(3) The Universal Zeniths are a straight flange. If used to replace a cross-flange original, then an adapter is required (see my post about the value of Tillotson carburetors in this thread ).

(4) Other alternatives would include the CORRECT Stromberg SF-1 or the Carter 245s. Both of these are vastly superior to the Zenith, but both are significantly more expensive than the Zenith.

Jon.