Carter WO made in Japan

Alasdair Brass · Post by **Alasdair Brass** » Wed Sep 22, 2004 4:57 pm

Hi G'ers,
I have been cleaning up a novelty carburetter as a talking point and wonder if anyone has ever seen or heard of such a thing.

It is very much a copy of a Carter WO but is branded Aisan Kogyo Nagoya. Carter symbols do not appear but Carter patent numbers appear on the body and throttle arm. Many parts have Carter part numbers. The cast iron throttle body and throttle shaft differ from standard as well as the choke throttle link. It would still fit a WW2 jeep and connect in the same manner. The choke housing and shaft is standard (suggesting it is a 539S design) but the choke linkage that fixes to the choke housing is missing. A standard WW2 one would fit. The die cast parts are plated and quite gold colored as is common with Japanese carburetters. The throttle body has a vacuum take-off port (later?).

The fact that Carter numbers are on parts and threads are US standard suggest it was made under license rather than it being a copy, for which the Japanese were well known. Can anyone shed light on this mystery? Ah-so. See proto berow

Regards
Al

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Sep 22, 2004 5:34 pm

Al, Your carb sounds very interesting. I have a few hundred guestions, but will settle for asking how long have you had it and what is the vintage of the carb? Any pics available?

Jeff H · Post by **Jeff H** » Wed Sep 22, 2004 5:36 pm

Hi Al

This looks like it might be the company.. According to this time line they were established in Nagoya in December 1938 and in October 1945 they started making carburetors.... perfect timing for Jeep carbs...

http://www.aisan-ind.co.jp/company/e_historical.htm

Jeff H

Alasdair Brass · Post by **Alasdair Brass** » Wed Sep 22, 2004 6:55 pm

Hi and thanks to Jon for posting the pic. Note the choke housing is not the correct one, it has been replaced with a Carter one (see the C in an O)but I do have the unmarked original.

I traded a genuine WO a month ago for this one as I felt it was worth it. I knew there weren't likely to be many around.

Al

Post by **Chris Fourroux** » Wed Sep 22, 2004 7:25 pm

Willys let Mitsubishi build CJ-3b's under licence from 1953 to 1998.
I know, wrong carb. that would have been the Carter YF carb.

but still, it makes you wonder.
during the occupation of Japan we would have had a bunch of G503's over there. I wonder if MacArthur set the japanese to making carter carbs during the reconstruction?

I found this quote on the web: from http://www.facm.net/eng/col_05.htm

Immediately after the war, Japanese car makers specialized in repairing vehicles such as jeeps and the Dodge Weapon Carrier that were "surplussed" by the U.S.

Alasdair Brass · Post by **Alasdair Brass** » Wed Sep 22, 2004 7:33 pm

Hi Chris,
Interessting article thanks. Not much mention of the Japanese role in the war!

I feel this carb is likely to be late '40's era as it has a mixture of both early and later features. Jeff H's article above says they started production of carbs in 1945 so it is looking possible. It might even be closer to that time.

Best regards
Al

Mark Tombleson · Post by **Mark Tombleson** » Wed Sep 22, 2004 9:28 pm

Al, I think Jeep Jeep Jeep #2 has some photos of rebuild plants with thousands of jeeps including engines being rebuilt from the frame up after the war. I can imagine the Japanese copying the WO carburetor.

Does anyone know of other parts of the MB/GPW that the Japanese made?

Post by **Jon** » Wed Sep 22, 2004 9:52 pm

Mark.... you mean apart from springs and stuff for the Trailers ?????

Bill M · Post by **Bill M** » Thu Sep 23, 2004 1:18 am

Hello All, I have had a set of Japanese manufactured cylinder sleeves from Nishioka iron works(something like that) and a water pump seal kit made by the Shimahide Iron works,
cheers
Bill.

lindyp38 · Post by **lindyp38** » Thu Sep 23, 2004 3:15 am

PERFECT WAY TO ENCOURAGE THE JAPANESE ECONOMY AFTER THE WAR....

Post by **Jon** » Thu Sep 23, 2004 11:45 am

cfourrou wrote:Willys let Mitsubishi build CJ-3b's under licence from 1953 to 1998.
I know, wrong carb. that would have been the Carter YF carb.

but still, it makes you wonder.
during the occupation of Japan we would have had a bunch of G503's over there. I wonder if MacArthur set the japanese to making carter carbs during the reconstruction?

I found this quote on the web: from http://www.facm.net/eng/col_05.htm
Immediately after the war, Japanese car makers specialized in repairing vehicles such as jeeps and the Dodge Weapon Carrier that were "surplussed" by the U.S.

This is the Mitsubishi Trailer Spring made under licience as it also carried the WILLYS name, they actually improved the design by making the underside in a flattened "U" shape to avoid side movement, wear and breakages.
Pic below. Thanks to Chuck for the pic.

petesilfven · Post by **petesilfven** » Thu Sep 23, 2004 5:01 pm

The yellow paint is interesting - did anyone in Japan make forklifts with Willys engines?

Alasdair Brass · Post by **Alasdair Brass** » Thu Sep 23, 2004 6:05 pm

Hi Pete,
The yellow/orange paint belongs to the jeep it came off. No hints from the past are of any help.

Al

Mantruck · Post by **Mantruck** » Sun Sep 26, 2004 5:35 pm

You would think the Japanese would have made the Carburetor a bit smaller!

Vic ALLAN · Post by **Vic ALLAN** » Sat Jul 22, 2017 5:40 pm

Hi For interests sake I have one of these Aisan Carbs as Alisdair has described......exact copy of the carter as best I can tell.....I have rebuilt it using carter parts and run it on my jeep ..works perfectly well ...... It came with some other carters that i am rebuilding for a jeep friend..

Surely is an interesting find for me..
Cheers
Vic

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