Most surface vapourising carburettors use heat to increase the efficient operation of the engine. Usually this is re-directed from the exhaust to increase the vapourisation of the fuel before it enters the intake manifold.

An added benefit of this carburettor system was that is made the use of heavier fuels such as kerosene more efficient. In 1925 the Holly Carburettor Company developed a vapour system which ran on everything from gasoline to kerosene. As late as 1962 Bates and Strettell reported on the widespread use of the Fordson tractor, equipped with the Holly vapourising carburettor, in Great Britain to the Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.

Geoff Barker, March, 2007

References
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carburetor
http://www.keelynet.com/energy/gunnhist.htm

This is an early form of carburettor which was used on motorcycles. It is an example of technology that lead to the development of the modern carburettor.

A carburettor is a device that blends air and fuel for an internal combustion engine. It was invented by Hungarian scientists Donát Bánki and János Csonka in 1893. Today, carburettors have been replaced by the fuel injection, which was first introduced in the late 1950s and then successfully commercialised in the early 1970s. However, the majority of motorcycles are still now carburetted due to lower cost but as of 2005 many new models are now being introduced with fuel injection.

'Surface vaporiser' motorcycle carburettor, metal, maker unknown, 1910-1982

Enclosed 'surface vaporiser' motorcycle carburettor, made of metal. The carburettor is shaped in the form of an arch with a quarter circle section cut away at one end. A cylindrical barrel positioned horizontally is also connected at one end and is secured to a panel by thirteen screws around the outside. In the top centre of the carburettor is a sealed raised circle with four shallow pierced holes. The exterior of the carburettor is dark brown and features some rust and discolouration.

Made: 1910 - 1982

None

B2452

1910 - 1982

180 mm

320 mm