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204 East 15th Street

Eldon, Missouri 65026

 

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Carter Universal BB-1 Updraft Carburetors

 

History

Two really advanced updraft carburetors were introduced in the Fall of 1931 for use on 1932 models: (1) the Stromberg SF/SFM series (addressed elsewhere on this website), and (2) the Carter BB1.

Four models of the BB1 were introduced for use on the Chrysler C1, DeSoto SC, Dodge DL, and Plymouth PB.

The Carter records are not completely clear as to exact dating, but sometime in 1933 Carter noticed that a large number of these carburetors were being sold new; many more than would be expected to be sold through attrition. Investigation found that many mechanics were replacing older updraft carburetors with the various O.E. Chrysler units.

WOW! A new market! How to enter this market the best way.

By December of 1934, Carter had released three new BB1 carburetors and twenty-one mounting flange adapters. The three carburetors were: (1) 245S (S.A.E. size 1), (2) BB1A (S.A.E. size 2), and 289S (S.A.E. size 3). The various adapters were released to allow the three new "universal" carburetors to be adapted to a variety of engines. Some of these were cross flange (where the original application had the center line of the mounting running fender to fender), others were oblique (to accomodate proprietory mountings such as the offset Marvel, still others changed S.A.E. sizes to allow the more efficient smaller Carters to replace large carburetors such as Johnson and Schebler.

Unlike Stromberg, the Carters were basically a "one-size fits all". This refers to the airflow capability of the carburetors. Whereas Stromberg released no less than five different internal venturi sizes for each S.A.E. physical size, Carter released only two different venturii. The 245S and the BB1A both received a 1 inch venturi, and the 289S received a 1 1/16 inch venturi. Carter, like Stromberg, offered an adjustable main metering jet so that the fuel could be adjusted. This is one of two reasons I prefer the Stromberg SF/SFM series, if one can physically be adapted to an engine. The Carters do have a physical size advantage, in that the Strombergs are physically larger.

Construction

The original BB-1 releases were of all cast iron construction. This changed after WWII, when the lower casting was changed to a zinc alloy casting. Part numbers of the universal carburetors were changed as follows: the 245S became the 245SD, the BB1A became the BB1D, and the 289S became the 289SD.

All of the universal models came with externally adjustable idle circuit, externally adjustable main metering circuits, a mechanical accelerator pump (the other reason I prefer the Strombergs with their vacuum accelerator pumps), and a power circuit. The power circuit is adjustable when the carburetor is apart, as the "power valve" can be disassembled, and different orifice power jets installed.

"Gotchas"

When the carburetors were in production, other than the previously mentioned lack of choice of venturi size, the only real Gotcha was the orifice size of the fuel valve. Carter used an orifice of 0.101 inch if the carburetor were to be used with a fuel pump, and an orifice of 0.118 inch if the carburetor were to be used with gravity feed fuel (read vacuum tank). The 0.118 fuel valve will flow approximately 40 percent more fuel than the 0.101 valve. Carburetors with the smaller valve can run out of fuel if used with the vacuum tank. CARTER DID NOT USE DIFFERENT PART NUMBERS FOR THE DIFFERENT APPLICATIONS, THE SELLING DEALER WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CORRECT FUEL VALVE TO BE INSTALLED IN THE CARBURETOR!

Today, with the popularity of the BB-1, the second Gotcha is unknowing or uncaring individuals that will take an O.E. BB-1 (Carter offered 51 different models of the BB-1), installing an aftermarket adjustable main metering jet, and selling it as a universal. Many of the O.E. applications used different air jets (yes Virginia, carburetion 101 - a carburetor meters and measures BOTH fuel AND air!). So even with the adjustable main metering jet, it may be impossible to correctly adjust to the application.

The most common Carter BB-1 to be found is the model 871SC. Why? Well, Chevrolet sold quite a few C.O.E. trucks, but that is not the major reason. It seems Carter had a mistake in the price listings, such that the 871SC carburetor was CHEAPER than the rebuilding kit for the 871SC carburetor! It also seems most of the automotive industry, other than Carter, knew this. So a Chevrolet customer with a troublesome 871SC would take it to the Chevrolet dealer for rebuilding; the dealer would order a new 871SC, install it, charge the customer for a "rebuilding" job, and either pitch the old 871SC, or put it on a shelf for some enthusiast to acquire decades after the fact.

Rebuilding

Yes, here comes the sales pitch! We offer rebuilding kits for ALL of the various BB-1 Carters, not just the universals. When ordering a rebuilding kit, it is quite useful to know the tag number of the carburetor AND the intended application. If the tag is missing, we can ask sufficient questions IF YOU USE THE TELEPHONE to determine the appropriate rebuilding kit. Our kits include all gaskets, the correct fuel valve (4 different configurations, plus 4 different orifice sizes), the pump spring, the vacuum piston spring, and especially the power spring (should be changed at every rebuilding). Generally, the check valves may be cleaned, and do not require replacement, but we do have them, as well as most other parts, available; all parts being made in the USA.

When rebuilding, do not forget to remove BOTH idle tubes and clean the passages if you wish your engine to idle.

Factory rebuilding literature

Here is a link to a different area of our website where we have published, with authority from Carter, the original Carter service instructions.

Distribution

As with all of the articles on our website, this article is placed in the public domain, and may be copied, and distributed as the user wished. We would only ask that the user references The Carburetor Shop website as being the original source.

Carter suggested applications

Carter did release "suggested applications" for the various BB-1 universal carburetors. I have searched the Carter files, and have published the list below. I would suggest the applications of engines above 300 CID be considered with the proverbial "grain of salt", as many enthusiasts have reported difficulties in using the Carters on larger engines. Also, I have some minimal research, and the Stromberg suggests larger internal venturi for the larger engines than Carter.

The Carter suggested list is sorted by year within make; and contains the make, year, engine size, model of vehicle, the Carter BB-1 to use, and an necessary adapters. The carburetors with the asterisk require internal modifications for the suggested application.

Can these carburetors be used on other applications? Certainly, but the user assumes the responsibility of engineer.

 

                     Universal BB-1 Applications

 

 

       Make        Year Engine Model     Carburetor Adapter

 

          Auburn            1923  6  196   6-43              245S

          Auburn            1924  6  196   6-43              245S

          Auburn            1925  6  196   6-43              245S

          Auburn            1925  8  247   8-88              BB1A

          Auburn            1926  6  224   6-66              245S

          Auburn            1926  8  247   8-88              BB1A

          Auburn            1927  8  226   8-77              BB1A

          Auburn            1927  8  247   8-88              BB1A

          Auburn            1928  8  247   120               BB1A

          Auburn            1928  6  185   6-80              BB1A

          Auburn            1929  8  247   120               BB1A

          Auburn            1929  6  186   6-66              BB1A

          Auburn            1929  6  185   6-80              BB1A

          Auburn            1932  8  269   8-100             289S

 

          Buick             1926  6  207   Standard Six      BB1A          23

          Buick             1927  6  274   Master Six        BB1A          24

          Buick             1927  6  207   Standard Six      BB1A          23

          Buick             1928  6  274   Master Six        BB1A          24

          Buick             1928  6  207   Standard Six      BB1A          23

          Buick             1929  6  274   Master Six        BB1A          24

          Buick             1931  8  221   8-50              BB1A  *       24

 

          Chandler          1928  6  180   31                245S

          Chandler          1929  6  196   65                245S

 

          Chrysler          1925  4  186   58                245S

          Chrysler          1925  6  201   70                BB1A          20

          Chrysler          1926  4  186   58                245S

          Chrysler          1926  6  201   70                BB1A          20

          Chrysler          1927  6  180   60, 62            245S

          Chrysler          1927  6  201   70                BB1A          20

          Chrysler          1927  6  219   72, 75            BB1A          20

          Chrysler          1928  6  180   60, 62            245S

          Chrysler          1928  6  196   65                BB1A

          Chrysler          1928  6  219   72, 75            BB1A          20

          Chrysler          1929  6  196   65                BB1A

          Chrysler          1929  6  219   72, 75            BB1A          20

          Chrysler          1929  6  289   80                BB1A          30

          Chrysler          1930  6  219   66                BB1A

          Chrysler          1930  6  196   Six               245S

 

          Make        Year Engine Model     Carburetor Adapter

 

          DeSoto            1928  6  175   K                 245S

          DeSoto            1929  6  175   K                 245S

          DeSoto            1930  6  175   K                 245S

 

          DeVaux            1931  6  215   6-75              BB1A          22

 

          Diamond T         1930  6  260   290 truck         BB1A

 

          Dodge             1927  6  208   Standard Six      BB1A          20

          Dodge             1927  6  208   Victory Six       BB1A          20

          Dodge             1928  6  224   Senior Six        289S  *       39

          Dodge             1928  6  208   Standard Six      BB1A          20

          Dodge             1928  6  208   Victory Six       BB1A          20

          Dodge             1929  6  208   DA Six            BB1A

          Dodge             1929  6  224   Senior Six        289S  *       39

          Dodge             1930  6  190   DD Six            245S

          Dodge             1930  6  224   Senior Six        289S  *       39

 

          Durant            1930  6  199   6-14              BB1A

          Durant            1930  6  248   6-70, 6-75        BB1A

          Durant            1931  6  199   6-14              BB1A

 

          Erskine           1927  6  146   6                 245S

          Erskine           1928  6  146   6                 245S

          Erskine           1929  6  146   6                 245S

          Erskine           1930  6  205   Dynamic 6         245S

 

          Essex             1930  6  161   6                 BB1A          32

          Essex             1931  6  175   6                 BB1A          32

 

          Falcon-Knight     1927  6  157   10, 12            245S

          Falcon-Knight     1928  6  157   10, 12            245S

          Falcon-Knight     1929  6  157   12                245S

 

          Flint             1924  6  230   35, 60, 80        BB1A          20

          Flint             1924  6  196   A-40, B-40        245S

          Flint             1925  6  230   35, 60, 80        BB1A          20

          Flint             1925  6  196   A-40, B-40        245S

          Flint             1926  6  230   35, 60, 80        BB1A          20

          Flint             1926  6  196   A-40, B-40        245S

 

          Franklin          1927  6  274   Six               BB1A

          Franklin          1928  6  274   Six               BB1A

          Franklin          1929  6  274   Six               BB1A

          Franklin          1930  6  274   Six               BB1A

 

          Gardner           1928  8  247   Eight             289S  *

 

          Graham            1929  8  322   8-37              BB1A          30

          Graham            1930  6  207   Standard          BB1A          22

          Graham            1931  6  207   Prosperity Six    BB1A          22

          Graham            1932  8  245   Blue Streak       BB1A  *       17

          Graham            1932  6  207   Prosperity Six    BB1A          22

          Graham            1933  6  224   65                BB1A          22

 

          Graham-Paige      1928  6  175   6-10              BB1A          18

          Graham-Paige      1928  6  207   6-14              289S  *

          Graham-Paige      1928  6  288   6-19              BB1A          33

          Graham-Paige      1929  6  191   6-12              BB1A          22

          Graham-Paige      1929  6  224   6-15              289S  *

          Graham-Paige      1930  6  224   Special           BB1A          22

         

          Make        Year Engine Model     Carburetor Adapter

 

          Hupmobile         1925  6  196   A-6               245S

          Hupmobile         1926  6  196   A-6               245S

          Hupmobile         1927  6  196   A-6               245S

          Hupmobile         1927  8  269   Eight             BB1A          20

          Hupmobile         1928  6  212   Six               BB1A

          Hupmobile         1929  6  212   Six               BB1A

          Hupmobile         1930  6  212   Six               BB1A

          Hupmobile         1931  6  212   Six               BB1A

 

          Internationa      1927  6  224   Truck             BB1A

          Internationa      1928  6  224   Truck             BB1A

          Internationa      1929  6  224   Truck             BB1A

          Internationa      1930  6  224   646               BB1A

          Internationa      1931  6  224   646               BB1A

 

          Jewett            1922  6  249   644               BB1A

          Jewett            1923  6  249   644               BB1A

          Jewett            1924  6  249   644               BB1A

          Jewett            1925  6  169                     BB1A          20

          Jewett            1926  6  169                     BB1A          20

 

          LaSalle           1931  8  353   345C              289S          41

 

          Marmon            1927  8  217   L-Eight           BB1A          20

          Marmon            1929  8  217   68, 78            BB1A  *       20

          Marmon            1930  8  212   69, Q             BB1A  *       20

          Marmon            1931  8  230   70                BB1A  *       20

 

          Nash              1928  6  184   Standard Six      BB1A          18

          Nash              1929  6  184   Standard Six      BB1A          18

          Nash              1930  6  184   Standard Six      BB1A          18

          Nash              1931  6  184   Standard Six      BB1A          18

          Nash              1931  8  299   Twin Ignition 8   BB1A          24

 

          Oakland           1928  6  212   All American 6    BB1A          18

          Oakland           1929  6  228   Six               BB1A          22

 

          Oldsmobile        1927  6  197   Six               245S

          Oldsmobile        1928  6  197   Six               245S

          Oldsmobile        1929  6  197   Six               245S

          Oldsmobile        1930  6  197   Six               245S

 

          Make        Year Engine Model     Carburetor Adapter

 

          Packard           1926  6  289   Six               289S  *       39

          Packard           1927  6  289   Six               289S  *       39

          Packard           1928  6  289   Six               289S  *       39

          Packard           1929  8  319   Eight             289S  *       39

          Packard           1931  8  319   900               289S  *       39

          Packard           1932  8  319   900               289S  *       39

 

          Paige             1927  6  185   6-45              BB1A          17

 

          Pierce-Arrow      1928  6  289   81                289S

 

          Pontiac           1926  6  186   Six               245S

          Pontiac           1927  6  186   Six               245S

          Pontiac           1928  6  186   Six               245S

          Pontiac           1929  6  200   Six               BB1A          22

          Pontiac           1930  6  200   Six               BB1A          22

          Pontiac           1931  6  200   Six               BB1A          22

          Pontiac           1932  6  200   Six               BB1A          22

 

          Reo               1923  6  240   T, U              BB1A          20

          Reo               1924  6  240   T, U              BB1A          20

          Reo               1925  6  240   Speed Wagon       BB1A

          Reo               1925  6  240   T, U              BB1A          20

          Reo               1926  6  240   Speed Wagon       BB1A

          Reo               1926  6  240   T, U              BB1A          20

          Reo               1927  6  268   DA, DC trucks     BB1A          20

          Reo               1927  6  240   FA truck          BB1A          20

          Reo               1927  6  240   T, U              BB1A          20

          Reo               1927  6  249   Wolverine         BB1A          20

          Reo               1928  6  268   DA, DC trucks     BB1A          20

          Reo               1928  6  240   FA truck          BB1A          20

          Reo               1928  6  249   Wolverine         BB1A          20

          Reo               1929  6  268   Flying Cloud      BB1A          21

          Reo               1929  6  215   Mate              BB1A          20

 

          Roosevelt         1929  8  202   Eight             BB1A          20

 

          Studebaker        1919  6  207   Light Six         BB1A          20

          Studebaker        1920  6  289   Special Six       BB1A          20

          Studebaker        1921  6  289   Special Six       BB1A          20

          Studebaker        1922  6  289   Special Six       BB1A          20

          Studebaker        1923  6  289   Special Six       BB1A          20

          Studebaker        1924  6  289   Special Six       BB1A          20

          Studebaker        1925  6  289   Special Six       BB1A          20

          Studebaker        1926  6  242   Standard Six      BB1A

          Studebaker        1927  6  354   Commander Six     289S          39

          Studebaker        1927  6  242   Standard Six      BB1A

          Studebaker        1928  8  250   Commander 8       BB1A          20

          Studebaker        1928  6  354   Commander Six     289S          39

          Studebaker        1928  6  242   Dictator          BB1A          20

          Studebaker        1929  6  354   Commander Six     289S          39

          Studebaker        1929  6  242   Dictator          BB1A          20

          Studebaker        1930  6  242   Dictator          BB1A          20

          Studebaker        1931  8  337   President 8       289S          17

          Studebaker        1932  6  230   Fifty-Five        BB1A

 

          Make        Year Engine Model     Carburetor Adapter

 

          Whippet           1928  4  134   Four              245S

          Whippet           1929  6  178   Six               245S

          Whippet           1930  6  178   Six               245S

 

          White             1926  4  326   45 truck          289S          17

 

          Willys            1930  6  193   Six               BB1A          16

          Willys            1931  6  193   6-97, 6-98D       BB1A          22

          Willys            1932  6  193   98D               BB1A

 

          Willys-Knight     1926  6  178   70, 70A           245S

          Willys-Knight     1926  6  178   70B               BB1A          16

          Willys-Knight     1927  6  178   70, 70A           245S

          Willys-Knight     1927  6  178   70B               BB1A          16

          Willys-Knight     1928  6  178   70, 70A           245S

          Willys-Knight     1928  6  178   70B               BB1A          16

          Willys-Knight     1929  6  255   66A, 66B          BB1A          20

          Willys-Knight     1929  6  178   70, 70A           245S

          Willys-Knight     1929  6  178   70B               BB1A          16

          Willys-Knight     1930  6  255   66A, 66B          BB1A          20

          Willys-Knight     1930  6  178   6-87              BB1A          16

 

Adapters

 

Pictures below published with authority from Carter Carburetor Company