Topic: Autolite 4300 Carburetor C9ZF-F

[QKSLVER]

I am looking for a restored Autolite 4300 carburetor, C9ZF-F, for a 1969 Mustang 390 Mach 1 with an automatic transmission.  Given the fact these aren't as popular as the Holley counterparts, does anyone have a recommendation on the best place to find one?  Most of the vendors I see selling restored carburetors only seem to carry the Holley.  Thank you in advance for your assistance.

[Bob Gaines]

I am looking for a restored Autolite 4300 carburetor, C9ZF-F, for a 1969 Mustang 390 Mach 1 with an automatic transmission.  Given the fact these aren't as popular as the Holley counterparts, does anyone have a recommendation on the best place to find one?  Most of the vendors I see selling restored carburetors only seem to carry the Holley.  Thank you in advance for your assistance.

Of course you can wait around and hope a restored one shows up. Since that carb is not in high demand most that restore and sell will not put the time and money into it to sit on a shelf. Your best chance is to find one used and have it restored. best of luck on your search.

[RoyceP]

I am looking for a restored Autolite 4300 carburetor, C9ZF-F, for a 1969 Mustang 390 Mach 1 with an automatic transmission.  Given the fact these aren't as popular as the Holley counterparts, does anyone have a recommendation on the best place to find one?  Most of the vendors I see selling restored carburetors only seem to carry the Holley.  Thank you in advance for your assistance.

Here's one: [size=78%]https://www.ebay.com/itm/155746695682?itmmeta=01HW91JHRQT7D3TEJD3CGPV5YE&hash=item244339fa02:g:7DUAAOSwXN5e6VU7&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA8PYTR7lVD7j9F4dlKHwdlxwrBxF%2FxXSwukdOixp5vn%2Bypo2FTp2NIfcQFYi2ijuCMJVc9yd8dbghTBGjiUxbh9%2B76NHbb6et%2BN8MvSRvLRrT3L5Mv%2B0S72y0RnzHwGQImngpoKO9Ja8CJMZUAuzxCy2KcGWAZUWMTuRlg2rY9wVojg8U1R5%2FLuRe%2FGPzCBU5EcXJGlT0xhwOXj%2BN1dSgEoiPSvCkdGpRnZa0wwNO4nQUfmv9l6aLJkSO2n%2FAgVonx8xaDf6GGMjGWkDjGozLoG0NwAIHOYhdh3E8%2FTB42Rifmv4MdXgjRfFdYThyKSATHw%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABFBMvJzKoeJj[/size]

[Bob Gaines]

For some reason carb rebuilders have a hard problem getting 4300's to run right. At least from mine and just about everyone I know experience. If anyone has FIRST hand experience with someone who can rebuild a 4300 and make it run properly there are a lot of us out here that would like to know . Many say that they can but when you get the pretty restored carb it doesn't run right or runs ok for a week and then goes to s#!t.  Many enthusiasts just give up trying to get one to run right and run a Holley.

[jwc66k]

For some reason carb rebuilders have a hard problem getting 4300's to run right. At least from mine and just about everyone I know experience. If anyone has FIRST hand experience with someone who can rebuild a 4300 and make it run properly there are a lot of us out here that would like to know . Many say that they can but when you get the pretty restored carb it doesn't run right or runs ok for a week and then goes to s#!t.  Many enthusiasts just give up trying to get one to run right and run a Holley.

Ain't that the truth. I took me over 10 years to get these Webers to run right on my VW engine. The experience got this one offf a 66 done in a day. See attached.

Of course you can wait around and hope a restored one shows up. Since that carb is not in high demand most that restore and sell will not put the time and money into it to sit on a shelf. Your best chance is to find one used and have it restored. best of luck on your search.

If you do get the one you need and it does need a rebuild, scratch some "code" on the underside as an ID and take a picture of it. A couple of members of my Mustang club sent their carbs out to get rebuilt only to get something else backJim

[CharlesTurner]

For some reason carb rebuilders have a hard problem getting 4300's to run right. At least from mine and just about everyone I know experience. If anyone has FIRST hand experience with someone who can rebuild a 4300 and make it run properly there are a lot of us out here that would like to know . Many say that they can but when you get the pretty restored carb it doesn't run right or runs ok for a week and then goes to s#!t.  Many enthusiasts just give up trying to get one to run right and run a Holley.

Truth.  They are a serious pain, I'm dealing with one now, can't say how many times I've had it apart now.  One mod is to install a secondary needle block off plug which seems to help with common flooding issues.  They are fairly simple carbs as far as the number of parts/pieces that get replaced during a rebuild.  It seems they are quite sensitive to fuel pressure also.

[RocketScientist]

Are the MotorCraft 4300's any better???

[Bob Gaines]

Are the MotorCraft 4300's any better???

Wishful thinking I am afraid.

[CharlesTurner]

After working dozens of hours on a C8ZF-D 4300, finally threw in the towel and installed a Holley, engine runs perfect.  Couldn't get a smooth idle with the 4300 no matter what I did.

[Coralsnake]

I must have got lucky, sent mine to Tim Lancaster at Classic Carb Restorations in North Carolina for a rebuild and it came out of the box running great, no issues with it.

[Bob Gaines]

I must have got lucky, sent mine to Tim Lancaster at Classic Carb Restorations in North Carolina for a rebuild and it came out of the box running great, no issues with it.

There is always that one guy.  

[Coralsnake]

 

[HDAshmore]

"If anyone has FIRST hand experience with someone who can rebuild a 4300 and make it run properly there are a lot of us out here that would like to know"

Team, 

Drew podjednic from air fuel spark recommended all state carbs in New York.  www.allcarbs.com.  Jarrod was great to deal with and my 70 Mach 1 4v D0OE-AD autolite came back looking amazing.  They test them all before sending back.  However I don't have my motor done to verify anything.  Just my experience so far. 

Dan in kansas

[Bob Gaines]

"If anyone has FIRST hand experience with someone who can rebuild a 4300 and make it run properly there are a lot of us out here that would like to know"

Team, 

Drew podjednic from air fuel spark recommended all state carbs in New York.  www.allcarbs.com.  Jarrod was great to deal with and my 70 Mach 1 4v D0OE-AD autolite came back looking amazing.  They test them all before sending back.  However I don't have my motor done to verify anything.  Just my experience so far. 

Dan in kansas

I had recommendations to send my last 4300 there too . It has been about 2 years ago . It looked great when I got it back however It didn't run or idle well like I expected given it was to be tested on a running engine prior to shipping.  I was waiting on the carb to come back because it went on a sold car that the new owner knew that the carb was being rebuilt . I understand that the new owner had problems with it too. I don't know if the problem got solved .

[HDAshmore]

Bob,

Good to know, thanks for the response.  Mine came back smelling like gas had been in it so I assume that was the test run leftover fumes.  Best to verify before trust I guess.  Wish my motor was done to make sure but that's the choice I made. 

Dan in Kansas