Carburator Installation Tonawanda/St. Louis

[Jack C.]

Were the carb setups installed at St. Louis? If so, how were the engine run tests conducted (natural gas) before shipment at Tonawanda? Especially the tri-power cars. I saw a similar question on the other forum.

[Larry M.]

Re: Carburator Installation Tonawanda/St. Louis

Were the carb setups installed at St. Louis? If so, how were the engine run tests conducted (natural gas) before shipment at Tonawanda? Especially the tri-power cars. I saw a similar question on the other forum.

Yes they were. Natural gas used to test fire engines at the engine plants.

Larry

[Tom H.]

Re: Carburator Installation Tonawanda/St. Louis

John Hinckley has posted a great photo of the dry fire rig they used at the plant. I can't find it. I know it's here somewhere !! Maybe John will chime in and post it.

[Jack C.]

Re: Carburator Installation Tonawanda/St. Louis

Would love to see it.

[Chuck S.]

Re: Carburator Installation Tonawanda/St. Louis

Were the carb setups installed at St. Louis? If so, how were the engine run tests conducted (natural gas) before shipment at Tonawanda? Especially the tri-power cars. I saw a similar question on the other forum.

The purpose of a carburetor is to meter and atomize LIQUID gasoline into a fine mist, mix it with air into the proper fuel/air ratio, then meter the mixture into the intake manifold as required.

Since natural gas is already in a gaseous state, much of the complication of the carburetor is un-necessary; the configuration of the fuel system needed for hot run at the factory likely had little resemblance to a carburetor.

[Bill M.]

Re: Carburator Installation Tonawanda/St. Louis

John Hinckley has posted a great photo of the dry fire rig they used at the plant. I can't find it. I know it's here somewhere !! Maybe John will chime in and post it.

Found it: Thanks, John.

[Tom H.]

Re: Carburator Installation Tonawanda/St. Louis

That's it !!!

[Bill M.]

Re: Carburator Installation Tonawanda/St. Louis

Here's a page from the Restorer, Vol.18, no. 3. Article written by Terry McManmon about the Tonawanda Mark IV assembly line. This page covers hot test.

I was there when they were doing tri-powers. but don't remember any details of the adapter for that manifold.

[William H.]

Re: Carburator Installation Tonawanda/St. Louis

Wow thanks Bill

[William H.]

Re: Carburator Installation Tonawanda/St. Louis

New question, Was the tri power manifold add at st. louis also?

[Lawrence M.]

Re: Carburator Installation Tonawanda/St. Louis

The 1969 AIM in UPC L71 sheet A1 shows installation of the 3x2 carb and choke. So I would say they were installed at St. Louis.

[Terry M.]

Re: Carburator Installation Tonawanda/St. Louis

New question, Was the tri power manifold add at st. louis also?

ALL manifolds (inlet and exhaust) were installed on the engine assembly at the engine plant.