Marvel vs. Zenith

[G6 at Snook, TX]

I have never used a Zenith carburetor, but the YT website says that it is superior to the Marvel. How so? Is it easier to clean get parts for? How do they make that claim?

FYI, I am not anti-new or different, but these questions occurred to me.

 

[souNdguy]

I have both ms and zenith carbs on many machines.

I've rebuilt both.. i tend to find ms easier to rebuild ( that's my opinion only ).

in t he 3 cyl teritory, i'd favor a zenith to a holley.

In the 4 cyl world, while dealing with an 801/901 they are hungry anyway no matter what carb you use.. the ms, to me, are more fuel efficient.

i don't have any data to back that up.. just feel good observations.

Plus I make my own carb gaskets and MS carb gaskets are easier for me to cut out.. so that's a big part of it.

 

[old]

The M/S by far is better and if you think about it has worked for what 50 plus years. I sure as heck would stay with what is there and or rebuild it of contact Gary in MT and have him rebuild it for you because unless the M/S is broken it can be rebuilt as in the bowl etc

 

[Hobo,NC]

Its advertising ... All the N's i have worked on with the Z carb did run sweet... They all had the same caricaturists... I can not say that about those MS carbs... MS carbs are like a woman :wink:

 

[Bob]

If you are buying a NEW unit, IIRC, Zenith Fuel Systems is the surviving company/current owner of Marvel Schebler.

So, that's what you get... a M/S design made/sold by Zenith.

 

[Tim23]

My tractor has a zenith on it. It was on there when i got it and hasnt been off or caused any trouble. I dont have a lot of experience so thats about all i can say about it. In setting the idle however my idle mix screw is all the way in (rich). Idk if thats a problem or not, my idle is about 450. I dont think i would replace an original ms carb that could b rebuilt, but i wouldnt b afraid of the zenith either.

 

[NNP]

superior? naw, but it will get the job done.
Have MS, Zenith, Carter, Holley, on tractors here.
Cleaned and adjusted to the tractor they are on, I find zero performance difference in any of them.
Parts prices are about the same.
Never have bought new because used are so easy to find and
all are easily rebuilt.

Just a 'why is that?' observation......
Firing up a tractor......darn, float needle-seat problem...
Always a Zenith....
Can't figure it out, carbs rebuilt-prepared the same, same basic float setup across brands.......
But, if it's puking on the ground, or needs a whack with a rock.....9 out of 10 times, it's a Zenith.
no clue why.....

 

[G6 at Snook, TX]

I am not looking to buy a carburetor as my Marvels work just fine, but the claim on YT was interesting and I wanted your opinion on it.

 

[Tall T]

I think that there is a natural tendency or weakness, to jump to believing that one is "way" better than the other because it sounds like less work and less trouble down the road. But more often than not the rumor comes as a result of someone not being able to resolve their problem with one and putting the other on as a replacement. Of course the new replacement is naturally going to be less troublesome for a longer time than the old and so seem "better".

That kind of knee jerk comparison or demonizing of one brand over another is rampant in computer land re. software where the bad rap was due to ignorance and poor computer maintenance.

In some cases it IS true like in the case of a Holley over a Carter on a 318 Dodge.