The Carburetor Shop LLC
204 East 15th
Street Eldon, Missouri 65026 Home | History | F.A.Q. | Orders | Contact Us | SELL TO US Carburetors | Repair Kits | Other Parts | Literature | Tools | Articles | Troubleshooting | Carburetor Identification Passenger Kits | Truck Kits | Tractor Kits | Industrial Kits | Marine Kits | Multi-carb set-ups Car Comics | Car Records | Stamps and Coins | Car Trading Cards | Subscription Cards | Oakland and Pontiac 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
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