Stromberg 97,81,48 what's the diff.?

I'll take a first stab at it. I'm sure others can give more detail.

The 97, comes from the venturi size. .97 or 31/37 (.96875), same for the 81, .81 or 13/61 (.8125). 81's used on the V8 60, 97's on '36/'38 85 HP. The 48 is named for it's catalog number, starting with 48-, it has a 1 1/32 venturi (1.03125). They were used on the '34/'35 Ford.

The CFM rating are 81=125, 97=155 and the 48=170, some say more.

BTW, the Ford-Holley-Chandler Grove, 94 is named for it's venturi size, also. .94 or 15/16 (.9375).
 
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Hot dog Frank, you really know about carbs.
I’ve been messing with and owning these old turkeys since 1945 and I have never had any idea what those numbers meant.
Thanks for posting.
 
Aaron, thank you, also.

I'm 75 yrs old and I "grew up" with these carbs and always bought them, when the price was right (as in cheap). My dad was a Ford mechanic, in the '40's and I still have his 97 jet wrench. I became a mechanic in '62, starting with all my dads tools so, I worked on these carbs also. When I tore something down, I always wanted to know "why & how".

They used to make some very nice replacement tops for the 97's, with twin flared stacks on them. I always thought they looked awesome. There was also a oval, flared top.

At 15, I'll never forget my first experience, hearing a nail head Buick, pulling in second gear, with a 6 x 2 manifold. It went by fast so, I couldn't see if it had 97's or 94's on it but, the sound was totally addictive.
 
The carb on my '46 has Ford on one side and "59" on the other. Where does this one fit into the lineup, and what makes it different?
 

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51woodie said:
The carb on my '46 has Ford on one side and "59" on the other. Where does this one fit into the lineup, and what makes it different?
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That one doesn´t belong in the Stromberg family.

It´s in the Ford/Holley family which became standard later on in ford.
 
There are also differences in the accelerator pump arms on the lower bases. The 48 does NOT have multiple actuator arm locations (for supposedly 'winter/summer' tuning), while the later 97s and the 81's do. The bases are specific to each version of carb (from the factory). The standard main jet sizes are also obviously different between the three versions.

When I build these carbs, one frequently finds mixed bases between 97's and 48's. Also, the lengths of the accelerator pump rods are different - frequently these are mismatched as well.

On 97's with more performance engines, I tend to use the 'outer' accel pump location, for more of a pump squirt earlier . . .
 
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The Holley's delivery system and secondary enrichment (power valve) circuit make it more efficient than the strombergs emulsion tube/mechanical power valve set up.Holleys get a bad rep due to poor quality power valves available today,that dont seal or dont fit,or dont operate at the vacuum rate they are marked for.
 
As Bored & Stroked said, also the power valves are different for 48, 81, and 97 carburetors. He is also correct about different bases. I have bought many 48, 97 carburetors with mixed internal parts, jets, and power valves, too. In their day there were many available different jet sizes, and power valves, too.
 
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The Stromberg system relies on accurate float setting and fuel pressure to keep the fuel level at the proper height for the emulsion tubes (9534) and uses an enrichment system that is mechanical,engine demand has no impact.The Holley uses engine demand (vacuum) to control enrichment.Both work well,and the Strombergs are sexy..but find a good Holley and you'll throw rocks at your Stromberg..
 
Jack Shaft said:
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The Stromberg system relies on accurate float setting and fuel pressure to keep the fuel level at the proper height for the emulsion tubes (9534) and uses an enrichment system that is mechanical,engine demand has no impact.The Holley uses engine demand (vacuum) to control enrichment.Both work well,and the Strombergs are sexy..but find a good Holley and you'll throw rocks at your Stromberg..
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Today, July 14th, War has been officially declared.
 
"They used to make some very nice replacement tops for the 97's, with twin flared stacks on them. I always thought they looked awesome. There was also a oval, flared top."

Frank, i rebuilt a friends six Stromberg 97 set-up on a '57 Olds J2 engine a while back in a '32 5 window hi boy with Uncle Max's good recommendation on main jet and power valve sizes. The carbs all had polished aluminum Scott tops with the two flared chrome stacks like you mentioned. I imagine the tops are fairly rare. The engine came out of an old school '54 Chevy custom.

Sal
 
51woodie said:
The carb on my '46 has Ford on one side and "59" on the other. Where does this one fit into the lineup, and what makes it different?
Click to expand...
Since I brought up the 94, what you have is just a 94, made by Holley, with Ford script and the 59 is just the normal catalog number for the 1945 engine change.
 
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Sal, now that you mention Scott, that is probably right.

I believe Scott, also made fuel injection units, that used a centrifugal pump. They looked like Hilborn's, of that day but, I think they also made a unit that used the standard 3 bolt flange, so that they could mounted on multi carb manifolds.
 
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