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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ Zeniths.. is there any way to get performance out of them?

Posted by: pete-stevers Dec 2 2021, 02:47 PM

I have an old set of Zeniths for a six motor... there has to be hope for these carbs.. I may flog them... but it may be better and cheaper to use them...

Posted by: 914Sixer Dec 2 2021, 02:51 PM

There was upgrade parts for them in the 80's, 90's BUT most of the stuff went away when PMO's came along. Haven't seen any overhaul kits in a long time.

Posted by: 914_teener Dec 2 2021, 03:16 PM

QUOTE(914Sixer @ Dec 2 2021, 12:51 PM) *

There was upgrade parts for them in the 80's, 90's BUT most of the stuff went away when PMO's came along. Haven't seen any overhaul kits in a long time.



I ended up "flogging" mine a while ago when I sold the Teener. Pretty much gave them away.

Nobody wanted them bacuase of lack of replacement kits and parts.

Posted by: brant Dec 2 2021, 04:57 PM

a lot of the webber parts and gaskets will fit
there are guys on pelican with tech articles on how to make them work better
they have a few features that are equal or better than a webber too.

Posted by: DennisO Dec 2 2021, 05:24 PM

This Guy in Italy sells zenith carb parts on ebay. You'll see a lot of references to him on pelican

https://www.ebay.com/str/alfa1750scarburetorspartsstore?_trksid=p2047675.l2563

Posted by: Retroracer Dec 2 2021, 06:04 PM

QUOTE(pete-stevers @ Dec 2 2021, 12:47 PM) *

I have an old set of Zeniths for a six motor... there has to be hope for these carbs.. I may flog them... but it may be better and cheaper to use them...


I'd suggest they are clearly hopeless and you should just ship them over to me to dispose of properly...! biggrin.gif

But seriously: I run a set on my 2.2 motor and they work well, are reasonably easy to set up and seem to hold tune really well. As to whether to use them, there are pros and cons (and I would preface this by saying I am in no way a carb expert, and neither do I play one on TV):

pros:

- seem to work well for the motors they were originally spec'ed for. If you try to use them on larger motors (>2.4l say), you'll need to change many things including venturis, which I believe means having some machined up (unlike Webers where you have choices)

- jets (main and idle) are available through a few sources, for tweaking operation and AFR. Rebuild kits too.

cons:

- some of the mechanical parts are obsolete and not easily obtainable. This is where Weber and PMO have an advantage

- not suitable for really big cubic inch motors as they don't flow enough air (see 46mm webers, PMOs)

As pointed out elsewhere, there are some good threads on Pelican where people have optimized them for hot rod motors. I met an RGruppe guy in the summer who had a set on his hot rod 911 build.

- Tony

Posted by: Superhawk996 Dec 3 2021, 07:56 AM

agree.gif wouldn't use for a big bore.

I'm working on a set right now for a 2.4L build.

Unavailability of parts is a myth - - they are out there.

Posted by: dr914@autoatlanta.com Dec 3 2021, 09:20 AM

better than nothing, and if they are not worn, they will work OK. I have them on a six 2.2 conversion, and my 70 911T, and they work well, but CERTAINLY not a performance carb. STILL why spend a couple of thousand at least for webers when you already have the zeniths?


QUOTE(pete-stevers @ Dec 2 2021, 01:47 PM) *

I have an old set of Zeniths for a six motor... there has to be hope for these carbs.. I may flog them... but it may be better and cheaper to use them...


Posted by: djway Dec 3 2021, 09:55 PM

I use the guy in Italy parts, he has good prices and good service.
I only have experience with the Zenith 32ndix but they can be modified quite easily and flow a lot of air.
Great driving carb also.

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