Fish Carburetor Breakdown

Today in the shop, we take a close look at the Fish M1 carburetor. We compare the common automotive carburetor of that time to the Fish, and analyze the subtle yet genius solution of near perfect air/fuel atomization.

[@slowshop]

Very interesting! What a genius construction. I've heard of them but never seen one.

[@johnmccabe4596]

I use two one on a 49 willys ,and one on a 72 ih travelall stock 392, they work great.

[@rattedbug5003]

I run one of these on a little vw engine. Also on a larger supercharged unit. You need a straight piece of road and a ball point pen to tune😂. It’s a shame they did remanufacture them as intended. I used to own a twin carb set up nos still in boxes manifolds and all always regretted selling them. Great video.

[@FrankGlencairn]

I have one on my 41 Chevy (261) and love it to death. Actually it is one that was driven by Roberts, with a "home made" base plate. It has some interesting modifications in the enrichment circle - got it from a collector from Canada many years ago. Actually I have two carbs with this unusual enrichment circles, one seams to be some sort of prototype or later modification by some racer - at least it is definitely hand build.

[@TheHotRodWorkshop]

That’s awesome! Way to keep old hot rod relics alive and functioning!

[@alexcannons7106]

Great to see. I use these and love them. An interesting thing about these is, unlike a normal carb where each fuel circuit builds on each other adding fuel as the throttle is opened, the fish carb is backward and adjusted for max power using the adjustment at the top of the pickup (adjustable only at full throttle through the blanking screw) then midrange is done moving the throttle plate in relation to the shaft correcting mixture buy allowing more or less air in and finally the idle with the brass air corrector screw. Fuel level has little/no effect as long as there is enough fuel in the bowl. I really like seeing others paying interest in these. keep up the good work.

[@TheHotRodWorkshop]

A very interesting and cool piece of hot rodding history for sure! Thank you for watching!

[@noelmintern8969]

It reminds me of the S.U carburetor,simple in design yet very effective. The only disadvantage to the S.U's was having to take them apart once in awhile to clean the piston that was part of the design otherwise a very good working carburetor.

[@DownwardFlame]

Very neat carb. Your video has some of the best info I've found. I'm looking to see if i can find a decently priced M1 to put on the 300 six in my vintage race car.

[@csamby1694]

I have some fish carburettors my grandfather used to build then

[@peterarmstrong3853]

Do you still have them?

[@shoominati23]

The principle of that carb looks very similiar to the Kendig carburetors

[@MagnaMachineWorks]

Awesome video! Really like the cinematic shots. I really like the concept of this carb. I wonder if in the now adays with cnc production if this could be brought back?

[@TheHotRodWorkshop]

Thank you sir! I’m sure modern CNC tech would benefit the manufacturing to some degree.. but I think the issue of demand could still be a problem. Maybe some day.

[@MagnaMachineWorks]

@@TheHotRodWorkshop I suppose its an obscure carburetor, even with it being better than what was available at the time, its relatively unknown and for a niche market. It rules though!

[@TheHotRodWorkshop]

@@MagnaMachineWorks absolutely. It’s a shame that it didn’t take off in the 50s like it should have.

[@victoryfirst2878]

This is one cool carburator for sure. What I am wondering how you were able to find one of these units ??? I can see the machining of the aluminum carb was superb. What I am something is will you put one on a car and see just how much mileage this unit can give the driver of the car. How did they machine the odd shapes and radiuses using old manual machines ?? Hope you do more videos for others to learn Sir. Good day and peace too. vf

[@tastycarburant]

Great, I'm just about to fit one to an British A-Series engine. I hear it was popular on racing Minis.

[@peterarmstrong3853]

Same here!

[@IowaMercMan]

Thanks for posting, new information for me! **how comparable in performance or CFM is that one barrel fish, as compare to the two-barrel 94 you showed ? PS The cost doesn’t sound so horrible today, compared with a $400 new Stromberg 97.

[@TheHotRodWorkshop]

It’s difficult to find any documented CFM ratings for these carbs, but from what I understand this M1 was designed to work on a range of 300ci-500ci engine size. That being said, calculating the CFM requirements for a 500ci engine at (a modest) 4000 RPM puts the output at somewhere just south of 500 CFM. Way more than the usual 150-200 CFM we typically see out of the common Holleys at the time. As for the price, you’re absolutely right. I couldn’t find any M1’s for sale currently, but considering the condition of the used fish carb, the lack of available replacement parts.. a brand new 97’ may be the wiser option.

[@FrankGlencairn]

@@TheHotRodWorkshop I only have the flow figures for the small 1.65” bore Reece Fish: 145.7 Scfm @ 10", or 294 Scfm @ 3"HG. So yeah, the 2" bore Fish should be absolutely able to supply a 500ci (or more) engine. Also - since the fish works on pressure differential instead of vacuum, those numbers are not 1:1 comparable.

[@johnrideout7124]

I have never seen a Fish carb, if so economical, why are they not available.? On the other hand, have always regarded the S.U. carb, as the work of a genius.!

[@poloquiles8626]

I have one and am in need of another one for my boxer engine. They rarely appear on ebay. Does anyone have a spare they are willing to part with?

[@csamby1694]

Like the brack down I have some fish and did some video but thare no as good as you

[@TheHotRodWorkshop]

Thank you for watching. You have quite the collection going on! Thanks for sharing!

[@csamby1694]

@@TheHotRodWorkshop no problem if you can have a look at 1 of my fish and see it’s the saying kind of thing as yours