kingston L2 carburetor – Model T Ford Fix

After January 1, 1919 the center door sedan was built only with an electric starter, battery and full charging equipment. The price was $875, Ford built nearly 25,000 of them as popularity of the closed Fords kept increasing. We have no data as to how many were built prior to the introduction of the self starter, but it was likely about 1/2 the total amount sold for the fiscal year. Note the demountable treaded tires. All four are 30 X 3 1/2″ size, and a spare tire carrier with spare rim was included. Tires were white sidewall both inside and out, with black treads. Bale design door handles were used on closed cars until 1921.

We have decided to combine the model years 1919 – 1922 because the cars were built mostly the same for the entire period after January 1919. The 1919 fiscal year began in August 1918. Model T’s built from August 1, 1918 until January 1919 were essentially the same as late 1918 Model T’s.

The big news in January 1919 was a new engine block with provisions for mounting a generator driven by the camshaft gear. Along with the new engine block and generator were a complete electrical system including an ammeter, battery, and electric starter. To allow the starter to be used a new flywheel assembly was designed which incorporated a ring gear which was driven by the electric starter.

A nearly new 1917 center door stuck in the mud near Seattle, Washington. These cars were originally equipped with either the Kingston L2 or the Holley Model G carburetor.

Ford always had primary and secondary vendors for parts purchased from outside vendors for the Model T. Such was the case for carburetors. Some time in late 1916 model year a new, improved Kingston carburetor was fitted to about half of Model T production. The Model L2 used an improved float bowl design and the needle / seat arrangement was simpler to manufacture and more reliable than the type used in older Kingston carburetors. The L2 proved to be a good design, and was used on millions of Model T’s from late 1916 through mid 1922 model year, when it was replaced by an improved model Kingston.

Let’s see what it takes to fix a typical old Kingston L2 that has been sitting in the weather for decades.

Tag: kingston L2 carburetor

The 1919 – 1922 Model T Ford

Rebuilding the Kingston L2 Carburetor