I need help with a 1924 carb

Question:

I have been reading your magazine for years and always enjoy it. Now I have a question. I have a 1924 Durant-Star with a Tillotson model SP190 carburetor on it and the float sticks in the up position. I have called a lot of people on this and they say I can’t buy a kit for it.

So my question is, are there any other carburetors that will fit the car? I’m not even sure whether the carburetor that’s on the car is the stock carburetor. The car runs great and is fun to drive until it quits. Thank you for the great magazine and any help you can give me.

Answer:

Before I address your questions about the carburetor let me ask you a question—what makes you think that the stalling is due to a carburetor problem? The reason I ask is that you state that the car runs great before it stops running. An engine with a faulty carburetor does not normally run great at any time.

Have you eliminated other possible problems with fuel delivery and ignition? Have you considered the possibility of vapor lock?

Tillotson carburetors were original equipment on most Star and Durant cars. One reference source I have indicates that 1924 Durants came with either a Tillotson L-1A or a Tillotson L-1B carburetor, while 1924 Stars came with a Tillotson MV-1A. The Tillotson SP 190, I think, is a somewhat later carburetor.

The Carburetor Shop (204 East 15th Street, Eldon, MO 65026; www.thecarburetorshop.com) may have a kit for the carburetor that’s onyour car, or may have a suitable replacement carburetor for it.

My old friend Jerry at Precision Carburetor (287 Skidmores Road, Unit A, Deer Park, NY 11729, ) also may be able to help by rebuilding the carburetor that you have. He has nearly 40 years of experience and knows as much as anyone on the planet about the really old carburetors.