Marvel vs. Zenith

Bob in Tennessee · Oct 12, 2015

This site sells a Zenith carb for a 801 that purports to be a "better alternative" to Marvell. If I do purchase a new carb for my 841 what are your experiences with the Marvell vs. Zenith?
thanks

souNdguy · Oct 12, 2015

new zenith vs your existing marvel?

cost, + a little fuel economy loss.

Andy Wickiser · Oct 12, 2015

Years ago I put a brand new Zenith on my 840 because the MS had "leaky drippy" syndrome that I wasn't able to cure despite valiant efforts. I haven't had to mess with the Zenith since and the tractor runs good.

Hobo,NC · Oct 12, 2015

(quoted from post at 20:14:08 10/12/15) This site sells a Zenith carb for a 801 that purports to be a "better alternative" to Marvell. If I do purchase a new carb for my 841 what are your experiences with the Marvell vs. Zenith?
thanks

I am not a die hard MS fan but can live with one. Some of the best running tractors I have set my arse on had a Zenith carb...

Most don't understand either so pick one and bash the other..
I am one of the few that likes a Holley those that don't love there replacement Zenith.

I am not going to buy into the "better alternative" part other than a good working carb is a "better alternative" over one that's not...

grayrider · Oct 12, 2015

I used to have a 9N that previous owner had installed a Zenith on it, never had any trouble with it, was a good carb......

Patrick Potter · Oct 12, 2015

I put a Zenith on my 850 12 plus years ago it ran for several years with no problems different things happened and it set for nearly six years (I did drain the fuel and run it out) my family pitched in and we got it up and running I did nothing to the carb and it fired up, on a scale of 1 to 5 I give the Zenith a 5+

Royse · Oct 12, 2015

Nothing wrong with the Zenith carbs, they work great.
They are harder to find parts for when they need them though.
For about half the price I would make your MS new again.
Unlike the new universals, mine are completely tested and
adjusted when you get them back. Ready to bolt on and go.
Email is open.

Bob in Tennessee · Oct 13, 2015

Thanks Royse but your email does not appear to be open. Whoever had this carb before has evidently drilled and re-tapped the main jet needle holder because it does not
tighten, only turns. There is a salvage yard a few miles south of me and i am going to contact them about a carb. Why do these projects take way more time and way, way
more money than we guestimate when making purchasing decisions? They are more trouble than kids! at least they don't talk back. This is sad because this tractor has the
best idle of any i own. it sits at 375 RPM and purrrrsssss. But if I don't nurse it up, it falters or worse!

JMOR · Oct 13, 2015

Bob, I was looking back at the picture that you posted of the nozzle (AUG 12) and it looks to have only one set of holes in upper area and based only on memory I believe there are usually more. If it is only one, then maybe you can verify as to whether or not there should be more. Maybe the mfgr did even less drilling that you previously found???

Bob in Tennessee · Oct 13, 2015

thanks, I will check when I get home. The previous owner tapped out the main jet holder so big that it is stripped. A local salvage yard priced me 60.00 for a salvage carb off a 801. I'm going to look at it today.

M-MAN · Oct 13, 2015

I just checked a nozzle and there should be 4 small holes in the long slender section between the threads and sealing boss. There should be 1 more larger hole in the turned down part between the two threaded sections.

JMOR · Oct 13, 2015

(quoted from post at 12:01:09 10/13/15) I just checked a nozzle and there should be 4 small holes in the long slender section between the threads and sealing boss. There should be 1 more larger hole in the turned down part between the two threaded sections.

hat then is almost certainly the cause of his problem, as it would reduce the flow into the nozzle from the acceleration well. I thought I remembered two sets of two holes each, i.e., two places where there are holes on both sides as if drilled all the way through. Is that what you see? His old Aug 12 picture looks to be only one.
If this is all the way it is, it sure makes the oft quoted 'from the land of almost right', closer to "almost never right'!

M-MAN · Oct 13, 2015

The nozzles I have aren't bored all the way through, just one side to center. (Two holes all the way through in the slender part and 1 in between the threaded part should equal what I have.) I looked at his pic as well and didn't see but 1 hole in the slender part and none in between the threaded section's. That woulden't be enough to draw hardly anything from the well so acceleration would be pitiful.

Marvel vs. Zenith

Bob in Tennessee

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souNdguy

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Andy Wickiser

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Hobo,NC

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grayrider

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Patrick Potter

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Royse

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Bob in Tennessee

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JMOR

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Bob in Tennessee

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M-MAN

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JMOR

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M-MAN

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